Tag Archives: skin care

Jul30

July 2020 Finishes

Posted on July 30, 2020 by lifewithlilred

Hello!! July was an insanely hot and busy month and I found that, other than my normal day and night skin care routine, I let any other pampering fall by the wayside. I know what you all are thinking: “That is so not like you, Sarah!” However, Lil Red does not do well in extreme heat (I literally get sick) and it is always extremely hot in my apartment. Not to mention, most of July was in the high eighties and mid nineties in my neck of the woods. Therefore, any movement away from being directly in front of my fan was deemed unnecessary.

I only finished one product that you all haven’t heard of already so we will briefly chat about that. Then, I will provide you with some links to previous beauty themed posts this past month in case you missed them. And, finally, make sure you tune in tomorrow for a new Face Mask Festivities to close out the month. Alright! Let’s get to it:

Would I Use Again:

SkinLab Lift & Firm moisturizer: YES
Azure Lux 24K Gold Sparkling Oil Serum: YES

Why/Why Not?

SkinLab Moisturizer: As you all know, I love my SkinLab Lift & Firm moisturizer and it took me one month to finish one jar. You can read more about it in this post, since it pops up often enough lol. 🙂

Azure Lux Serum: During a recent Amazon haul, I needed to stock up on my skin care. Originally, I was going to stick with my usual and just order a bunch of the Azure Lux Rose Gold serums. I purchased a few but I also decided to give the 24K Gold serum a try, as well. Was it much different than its Rose Gold sister? Not really. But I love the Rose Gold sister so, obviously, I loved the 24K serum too!

My skin feels so bright and radiant whenever I use the Azure Lux serums and they are so nourishing, to boot. I definitely think my skin has become more glowy and fresh since using the Azure Lux products and it takes me one month to finish one bottle.

More To Enjoy:

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for a brand new Face Mask Festivities!

Which products did you use up this month? Which products have you been impressed with lately? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul23

Face Mask Festivities: Celavi Honey Sheet Mask Edition

Posted on July 23, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Face Mask Festivities: Celavi Honey Sheet Mask Edition

Hello! Within the past week or so, I had a great big skin care haul from Amazon. I purchased all of my necessities for the next three months and I also ordered a set of sheet face masks by Celavi. I received two of the six different kinds of masks in the set, totaling twelve masks for a little over ten dollars. I considered it a steal and the comments on Amazon from previous buyers was encouraging. So, I added it to my cart.

This past weekend, I finally got around to using one of the new sheet masks, opting for the Honey option because whose skin doesn’t need to be cleansed and moisturized? Lol, take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

When I use a face mask, I never apply it with the thought that it’s going to have a massive affect on my skin. In fact, this is what probably keeps me from being disappointed with some of the duds that I’ve used. Rather, I like to think that I got to spend twenty minutes with a mask on being pampered and that’s how I’m going to think of my time spent using this Celavi mask.

Did I notice a huge or even minor difference in my skin after twenty minutes with this super saturated mask on? Not particularly. Don’t get me wrong, my skin did feel slightly more moisturized. But my skin care routine makes my skin feel insanely hydrated so, in that regard, it didn’t do all that much.

My skin definitely didn’t have that fresh “ahhhh” feeling after removing the mask. I can also confidently say that if I didn’t have one more of the Celavi Honey sheet masks in my hoard, I would not be using it again. But, like I said, no hard feelings and I still enjoyed myself. I took a leap of faith on some cheap masks and they can’t all be winners!

Have you used any beauty duds recently? Do you have a favorite sheet mask? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul20

My Quarantine Beauty Routine

Posted on July 20, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hi! Living in a lock down state has definitely put a damper on my beauty routine. In fact, I can probably count on under ten fingers the amount of times I’ve put a full face of makeup on since March nineteenth. Sure, it’s nice to be feeling myself after I beat my face but, at the end of the day, it’s not like Johnny and I do anything so what’s the point?

Every once in a while I’ll put some mascara and blush on but, for the most part, my face has been au natural. Because of that, I have really just been enjoying doing face masks on my already blank face in the evening. I have also incorporated a night time skin care routine into my beauty regimen. I used to not have one, as I never took my makeup off before bed. But, now, I always apply my serum, eye cream, and moisturizer before bed too.

Although I miss doing my makeup, I like sleeping in before work more! Lol, what I really miss is shopping. I’m not comfortable making my rounds in a store like TJMaxx or Target yet. And, when I find some cute, in season clothes online I realize that no one will probably see me in it till next year so what’s the point? I mainly have just been ordering my skin care online and extra hand soaps from Bath & Body Works when I need it.

On the bright side, this lack of shopping and applying makeup has saved me money. The lack of going out to restaurants and bars and doing my eating (And drinking!) at home also saves me money. So, when the fateful day comes that I can finally have a TJ’s shopping trip without having a panic attack, I know the haul that will be purchased will be totally guilt free. Score!

What do you miss doing most while in quarantine? How have your normal routines been affected? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul17

Amazon Skin Care Haul

Posted on July 17, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! I live in Summit County in Ohio, which is one of the seven counties being mandated to wear masks anywhere you go now. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, I haven’t been “shopping shopping” in months – just groceries and an occasional trip to the nail salon. So, I’ve had to resort to Amazon for purchasing all of my skin care needs as opposed to making one of my monthly or bimonthly trips to TJMaxx.

Needless to say, I miss TJ’s more than anything. But, I am happy that I have been able to find the brands that I love on Amazon. I also purchased some sheet masks by Celavi because my boyfriend finally caved and said he’d wear one with me. GREAT SUCCESS! Lol, check it out:

You guys already know how much I love the SkinLab moisturizers and Azure Lux serums so let’s talk face masks. I paid ten or so dollars for twelve sheet masks by Celavi and I considered it a steal. I never have this many face masks on my person at one time and it is going to be so nice to relax with them after a long day at work. Johnny finally participating in the Face Mask Festivities will just be an added bonus!

Online shopping certainly is not the same as making my rounds at TJMaxx but, in the meantime, it is the safest option. I plan on continuing to get my skin care through Amazon until I feel one hundred percent safe going “shopping shopping” again. Until then, you can catch me and Johnny chilling in our Celavi sheet masks all pandemic long. 😀

Are you online shopping more frequently now? Which actual store do you miss the most? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul10

Face Mask Festivities: BAWDY X Sephora Flaunt It Butt Sheet Mask Edition

Posted on July 10, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Face Mask Festivities: BAWDY X Sephora Flaunt It Butt Sheet Mask Edition

Hello! During my last online Sephora haul, I was ten measly dollars away from free shipping and I didn’t want to spend a ton of money to get myself over the threshold. So, I hit up the clearance section and decided on a face mask AND a butt mask. I already reviewed the sheet mask for my face and today it is all about the sheet mask for the bootay! Lol, take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

A butt mask may seem silly to some but, hey, I’m willing to try a new product out to put on the blog for a whole four bucks! And, you know what? I’ve used beauty treatments that have been worse. At the end of the day, I felt pampered and my butt felt firmer so no harm no foul!

My first impression of the mask was that it was adorable, obviously! I wasn’t sure what the butt mask was going to look like but the watermelon slices with “FLAUNT IT!” written across seemed perfect to me. The application was simple and I figured the easiest way to let the mask sit was laying on a towel.

After fifteen minutes of having the mask on, it dried out. I didn’t notice any mind blowing physical changes to my derriere but it genuinely did feel firmer and much more moisturized after using it.

The real question is: Would I use a butt mask again? Probably not. I wasn’t impressed enough with this sheet mask to continue buying them or a similar product. I think I will stick with the masks for my face from now on! 🙂

Has anyone ever used a butt mask before? What did you think of it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul9

Face Mask Festivities: Que Bella Professional Detoxifying Peel Off Mask Edition

Posted on July 9, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Face Mask Festivities: Que Bella Professional Detoxifying Peel Off Mask Edition

Hi! For my 26th birthday, my bestie treated me to some amazing skin care products. This past Fourth Of July weekend, I enjoyed using my Que Bella Professional peel off mask instead of being out in the mid ninety degree heat. Yuck! While Johnny had a July Fourth celebration with a few close friends, I had fun hanging out at home, watching America’s Next Top Model and getting a major skin detox. Check it out:

I originally thought that this detoxifying mask was a sheet one so I was so confused when I opened the package and a thick, black tar came oozing out. Then, I realized I was supposed to put this strange substance on my face, let it dry, and it would peel off? Lol, okay. But, in the name of a blog post I did it anyway and I am honestly so glad I did because it was FABULOUS.

It took twenty minutes for this mask to completely dry but I was ambivalent about it so called “peeling off” because I had a hard enough time removing the excess from my hands! But, to my surprise, when I began to remove the mask it came off easily and in one piece. I was totally amazed because I had never used anything like it before and I was even more amazed because I loved the results!

Infused with charcoal powder and Vitamin E, this mask by Que Bella eliminated impurities while still being insanely hydrating. After the mask was off, the black heads on my nose were gone completely and my skin felt smooth and hydrated. I couldn’t get over the moisture boost and I woke up the following morning still in awe of the baby’s bottom results, lol.

Despite not even wanting to use this product at the beginning, I would rate it with the prestigious: ten out of ten stars. The results spoke for itself, the mask removed like it was nothing, and even though the application was messy it was still kind of fun! I would love to use more peel off masks and plan on buying them from Que Bella, so keep it posted!

What is your favorite kind of face mask? What are the best peel off masks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun30

June 2020 Finishes Pt. 2

Posted on June 30, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! Yesterday, we discussed a lot of the skin care that I finished up this past month of June. And, if you’re checking back in today, you’ll see we have a few more goodies to chit chat about. With the part one and two finishes combined, it would have been a long ass post. So, why not break it up into two? Let’s get on with my June 2020 Finishes… Part Two:

Would I Use Again?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: YES
Bath & Body Works Champagne Apple & Honey shower gel: YES
Destiny Boutique Charcoal face wash: YES
Azure Lux Rose Gold serum: YES

Why/Why Not?

Evoluderm Micellar Water: It doesn’t really bother me to constantly be using the micellar water by Garnier… Obviously, considering it shows up on almost every empties post! But, whenever given the opportunity at TJMaxx, I just have to grab some of the Evoluderm water if it’s there. I don’t know why it makes Garnier’s micellar water feel like plain old water but the Evoluderm brand feels like magic. I love using it as a toner and makeup remover and one bottle lasts me about a month and a half.

B&BW Shower Gel: Love the B&BW, love anything apple, and love anything champagne! Haha, this shower gel combines a lot of my favorite things and it easily makes the Champagne Apple & Honey scent one of my must haves. It’s sweet and tart and the luscious bubbles make you never want to get out of the shower! One bottle typically lasts me a little over a month.

Destiny Boutique Face Wash: I use a lot of charcoal products when it comes to my skin care and Destiny Boutique has always been one of my go to brands. Their charcoal face wash and face bar have been staples in my skin care routine for years now and I tend to order the goods on Amazon when I can’t find them at TJ’s because the products are that good. Pesky blackheads and blemishes will be a thing of the past and stay that way because one bottle took me over three months to use!

Azure Lux Serum: I was introduced to the Rose Gold serum by Azure Lux a year or so ago and have remained fairly faithful to it since. I just love how radiant the serum makes my skin look and the real flecks of 24K gold makes it feel oh so lush with each use. It takes me one month to finish one bottle and, although I wish it lasted a bit longer, I am never not going to buy it.

June has brought us a ton of empties to discuss and, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but fingers crossed for a lighter finishes haul in July! Lol! 😀

Which products did you finish 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

Jun29

June 2020 Finishes Pt. 1

Posted on June 29, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! I have a theory that June seriously dragged because of my family vacation to look forward to at the end of the month. It made each day feel like a lifetime… Maybe that explains why I have so many empties that I had to break my normal monthly finishes post into a part one and two!

The real reason, however, is that I haven’t been wearing makeup in quarantine. Therefore, I’m using twice as much skin care per month because I have a fresh face to apply a nighttime routine on. I can definitely notice the difference in my skin from the daily double whammies of moisturizers and serums. Now, maybe I’ll be more motivated to take my makeup off at night post quarantine. Maybe!

Lol, let’s take a look at these skin care empties and discuss:

Would I Use Again?

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair moisturizer: NO
SkinLab Lift & Firm moisturizer: YES
SkinLab Lift & Firm Eye Gel: YES
Biossance Vitamin C & Rose Hip Serum: YES

Why/Why Not?

Neutrogena Moisturizer: My mom gave me this moisturizer when I was running low at home and holy wow is this stuff powerful. Of course, this product was made with more mature skin in mind and at twenty-six, mine just didn’t meet that mark. After a few days of use, my skin was SO dry and red that I had to put olive oil on it just to breathe some lift back into the painful, burning dryness.

Once I realized it was way too strong for my skin, I mixed a bit of it into my normal SkinLab moisturizer and that felt much better. Waste not, want not as the saying goes. I can’t say I recommend this product for anyone in my age range but I think it would be fabulous for those with more mature skin.

SkinLab Moisturizer: My Lift & Firm moisturizer felt like absolute heaven in comparison to the Neutrogena one! So rich and insanely hydrating, my skin was drinking it up after being so dried out. It takes me one month to finish one jar and I always plan on using it again. In fact, I need a restock soon!

SkinLab Eye Gel: And, as you know, I am all about the SkinLab Eye Gel too. It takes me at least three months to finish one tiny jar and I can’t picture my skin care routine without it, either.

Biossance Serum: I received this little vial of serum as a freebie during my last Sephora haul and, if given the opportunity, I would use it again. My skin looked radiant and felt so nourished after each use. My only qualm, though, is that it never fully sank into my skin and it left a somewhat greasy residue. This is not ideal, especially in the hot summer months. It took me a week and a half of twice daily use to finish the sample.

Now you know all about my skin care empties for the month! Do tune in tomorrow to learn more about the rest of my June Finishes. 🙂

Which products have you used up this month? Have you tried out any new skin care recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun25

Face Mask Festivities: Sephora’s The Bubble Mask Edition

Posted on June 25, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Face Mask Festivities: Sephora’s The Bubble Mask Edition

Hi! There is nothing that Lil Red loves more than when I can apply a face mask during my free time in the evening. During my last Sephora haul, I purchased a bubble sheet mask to help me get over the fifty dollar free shipping threshold. The baby blue packaging and the description all looked and sounded so nice and I am happy I bought it because it WAS nice! Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

Alright, let’s start off this post by saying that sheet face masks are, admittedly, extremely creepy. The creepier part? I had the intention of putting this face mask on all day and was looking forward to it at work. So, naturally, I had to apply the mask anyways while my boyfriend and I were watching Hannibal. There is something about wearing a sheet mask while watching a show about Hannibal Lector that seems so wrong and we were in stitches when I walked out of the bathroom with the mask on my face. But, hey, limited free time means pampering oneself while… one can? Lol!

Despite feeling like a total CREEPER, Sephora’s Bubble Mask was amazing! As soon as I put it on, I could feel the bubbling effect begin to take place. And, within minutes, my face was being treated with luscious, sudsy bubbles popping and fizzing away. This mask was refreshing and it was so cool to feel it actually working instead of just sitting there like a clay mask.

My only qualm with this product is that the sheet mask was SO saturated with the treatment that it would slide down my face. This was not great because the liquid would get in my eyes and it burned. In fact, I couldn’t even leave the mask on for the full fifteen minutes, as much as I would have liked to, because it hurt too bad. Had this not been a problem, I honestly would have rated this mask with a ten out of ten.

Although there was the problem with the eye irritation, I cannot even tell you how shocked I was with the results once I removed the mask. My skin looked SO fresh, it was almost as if I spent all day getting beauty sleep instead of working. It looked radiant and bright and I definitely plan on purchasing it again if I need a little extra something to get me free shipping when I shop online with Sephora. But, next time? No watching Hannibal during my relaxation time! 😀

Do you prefer sheet or traditional face masks? 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

Jun19

Huge Sephora Haul

Posted on June 19, 2020 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! I don’t shop in store with Sephora often, unless I plan on purchasing new makeup. Normally, I just get everything I already know I like online because they have amazing freebie deals and free shipping with a fifty dollar purchase… Which, let’s be honest, is not hard to do!

This past online order, I really needed more of my favorite hair product: IGK’s Mistress Hair Balm and I also was in the mood to order some treats. So, I decided to scour their sale section and ended up with some darling new fake eyelashes, a face mask, a butt mask (lol!), and a whole lot of freebies. Check it out:

Okay, let’s start out by addressing the elephant in the room: THE BUTT MASK. I did not go on Sephora’s website specifically to buy this! I was literally one dollar away from free shipping and didn’t want to make a huge purchase, so I bought the mask on sale for four bucks to get me over the limit. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t curious and obviously I’m looking forward to using it. Since when is there a beauty product just for the booty boo?!

Anyways, I planned out this purchase to get the maximum amount of freebies, as you can see. Not only did I get my birthday freebie by Milk Makeup but I also got eleven additional samples with a twenty-five dollar purchase and two extra ones just for online shopping. It was a great deal and I have been enjoying testing out all of the high end skin care I got samples of.

It has already been established that I’m looking forward to trying my face AND butt mask but I think I am the most excited about my new eyelashes. The Museum Of Ice Cream and Sephora collab introduced the world to the most adorable, feather adorned fake eyelashes I have ever seen. Of course, there’s nowhere to flaunt them now but once I get my hair done it’s photo shoot time so be on the lookout to see a super funky and cool MOTD!

How do you get the best deals when shopping Sephora? Which beauty products do you love to treat yourself to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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