Tag Archives: skin care

Feb26

February 2019 Finishes

Posted on by
Standard
February 2019 Finishes

Hi! The itty bitty baby month of February is nearing an end, so it’s time to chit chat about the products that yours truly used up this month. There were quite a few good ones in my February finishes that I would happily use again. One in particular, was a serum that has been getting a lot of attention on my page so I take it that all of you liked it, too! Take a look at my empties and let’s discuss:

febbb

Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

LPM Shower Creme: I found a half used bottle of this Orange Blossom scented shower creme in my stock pile, so I figured that I would use it up. Obviously, it was pretty disappointing, because I definitely wouldn’t use it again. Shower cremes are supposed to be moisturizing and this one dried my skin out so badly. It didn’t lather well and I had to use a lot to feel clean. The one thing that I was most looking forward to was the Orange Blossom scent, because it sounded so lovely. And, unfortunately, this product didn’t really smell like anything. Whomp whompppp.

TBS Face Mask: The Honey & Oat face mask from The Body Shop is one of my favorites. Its creamy texture is so nourishing, but the flakes of oats give it some exfoliating power. This combination helps get all of the dead skin and gunk off of your face but it leaves it absolutely glowing with peaches and cream perfection. I also got over ten uses out of one container, which is a great value.

B&BW Lotion: Ahhhhh, the Golden Pear & Brown Sugar scent is SO yummy! The warmth of the brown sugar paired with the softest hint of a juicy pear made this a lotion that I actually wanted to put on, which rarely happens. I got a one and a half full body use out of the travel size and I would love to have this scent in a full sized bottle, for sure.

Azure Lux Serum: I have had SO many people coming to my page to check this serum out and I hope that all of you liked it as much as I did, because I friggen LOVED it! This serum had gold flakes in it and it left my skin so radiant that I just want to take a bath in it… That’s how much I enjoyed it. It also took me at least three months to finish it. Now, if only I could find some more!

Garnier Cleanser: I got this mini micellar foaming cleanser FO FREE with a bottle of Garnier micellar water and it was okay. It did an okay job of removing my makeup and it felt okay and it was a very average cleanser. It didn’t foam very well, though, which is too bad considering that’s in the name of the cleanser and I loves me a foaming cleanser. This mini size took me about a week and a half to finish, which is pretty good. I definitely wouldn’t use it again unless I got it for free.

My February finishes were a mixed bag, but that’s okay, because the ones I liked were ones I liked a lot, which makes up for it! Now, hopefully I can find some more Azure Lux serum at TJMaxx soon…

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

Feb23

Aveeno Positively Radiant Overnight Hydrating Facial Review

Posted on by
Standard
Aveeno Positively Radiant Overnight Hydrating Facial Review

Hellooo everyone! As we all know, Lil Red is a sucker for skin care and is always up for trying new products. So, whenever my mom or sister gets something new, I have to borrow it to 1) Test it out and 2) Put it on the blog. Sometimes, the products are amazing and other times they are ehh… not so much. Unfortunately, the overnight moisturizer by Aveeno that I just tried out missed the mark by a long shot. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

aveenoaveeno1aveeno2

Although I don’t use them as often as I would like, I enjoy a good overnight mask or moisturizer. A product that puts in work while you sleep is the best. And, it’s even better when you wake up and your skin feels awesome and you did literally nothing but catch some Z’s to make it that way. So, of course, I was excited to try this Aveeno moisturizer out, because who doesn’t like overnight results?

Sadly, I could tell that I didn’t like this moisturizer as soon as I put it on. The texture was way too thin and gel like to feel nourishing and, by the time I went to bed, it already seemed to have absorbed into my skin. I woke up the following morning and my face felt tight and so parched for hydration, which is the polar opposite of what any overnight product should do.

I was a bit disappointed, because Aveeno is a good brand and I was looking forward to trying it out. I’m not sure if the reaction my skin had was a fluke or what but, because it left my face feeling so dry, I would not recommend this product based on that alone. At least this was something that I didn’t buy! 😀

What is your favorite overnight product? How do you keep your skin hydrated during the winter? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb20

Lil Red’s Fresh Face Tips & Tricks

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Fresh Face Tips & Tricks

Hiii! Since I posted some no makeup selfies on Facebook and on the blog, I have had a lot of people inquire about my skin care routine. I have to say that I’m flattered, because I do take really good care of my skin and my complexion is something that I’ve always liked about myself. I have never had a pimple in my life, and I thank the stars for that. I always tell people that if I had to deal with acne during the major brunt of my mental health struggles during my teenage years, I honestly don’t know if I would be here today.

That sounds extreme, but it’s the truth. If skin problems was something that I was going through during teenager-hood (Which is completely normal!) on top of everything else, that might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. So, from about freshman year on, I’ve stuck to a very strict skin care regimen and it works! And, now I am going to share some of my tips and tricks with all of you.

picss2

1) Double Wash

I have been double washing my face during my morning showers for years and I think that is one of the main reasons for my clear skin. Depending on what products I have handy, I will use a regular old cleanser and then a scrub or a charcoal facial bar. I’m bad, and I don’t take my makeup off at night, so I know that I need some extra cleansing power to get all of the gunk off from the previous day. And, whether you take your makeup off or not, a double wash is still good to get off any grime or dead skin lingering around that the first wash doesn’t always remove.

If your skin is sensitive, then a second wash can be incorporated every other day or every third day to prevent yourself from drying out. And, make sure the products you’re using are creamy in texture. But, if your skin is normal or problematic, give yourself a daily double wash and see what happens!

2) Skin Care

I don’t have a magic face mask or home remedy, but I do have some skin care products that I couldn’t live without. After I double wash in the shower my skin care routine goes as follows:

Micellar water: I start with wiping my face down with micellar water to act as a toner and get my skin fully ready to make the best use of the next three products I apply.

Serum: A good serum is a must. I always recommend using something with Vitamin C, gold, or anything with the words “rejuvenating” or “revitalizing” in it. All of the previously listed things will help with brightening your skin, giving you a youthful glow. This is when you know your skin care is working right.

Eye cream: I’ve been using eye cream since high school and I swear by The Body Shop’s Nutriganics cream. Wrinkles, crows feet, and dark circles around your eyes can really age you, so it’s crucial to work in an eye cream to your regimen if you don’t have one already. It’s all about youthfulness, after all!

Moisturizer: And, finally, a moisturizer. This will complete your skin care routine by giving you a peaches and cream finish. But, do be sure that you’re not over hydrating your skin, which can lead to oiliness. It’s all about balance. If I’m using a thicker, oil based serum, I stick with a lighter moisturizer. But, if the serum I’m using at the time is thinner, then I go with a heavier moisturizer to make sure I’m still getting hydrated. Also, pay attention to the weather. You might have to go with a heavier moisturizer during the cooler months and something lighter during the summer.

3) Hydrate!

I’m sure everyone tells you this, but water, water everywhere is a must for glowing and clear skin. It helps detoxify your body and it keeps your skin from getting dried out. And, then, people wonder why they are having skin issues if all they do is drink sugary beverages all day. I try to drink at least three to four bottles of water a day. It’s great for your skin and it might help you lose a little weight, too. What could be better?!

4) Makeup Mindfulness

The last thing we will be talking about is makeup mindfulness. Be aware of what you’re using when you’re painting your face and notice the reaction your skin is having. No makeup should be making your skin feel oily or greasy. And, be careful of the amount you use on your face. When you really cake a foundation or powder on, it basically suffocates your skin and makes it very easy for gunk to get trapped in your pores.

This is not to say to walk around with no makeup on every day. And, if applying your makeup heavily is what gives you confidence, then do it up. But, just be on the look out for any changes in your skin. If you start breaking out or if you’re starting to feel oily, it might be your makeup that’s causing the problem.

Will the above tricks work for everyone? Maybe. But, they definitely work for me and I had to give the people what they asked for! So, hopefully they will come in handy for you, too.

What are some of your tips and tricks for clear skin? Will you be implementing any of the suggestions above? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb6

Additional January 2019 Finishes

Posted on by
Standard
Additional January 2019 Finishes

Howdy! Last month brought me lots of empties, because I was finally able to get back to all of my beauty routines post surgery. It was so nice to feel pampered again and I enjoyed using up the products that were sitting there unused for the entire month of December. All of my posts are prewritten and I managed to finish an additonal handful of empties during the last haul of January, which we will be discussing today. Take a look:

jan1

Would I Use Again?

  • Suave Cocoa Butter & Shea body wash: MAYBE
  • Garnier Micellar Water: YES
  • Bath & Body Works lotions: YES
  • Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: NO!!
  • Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask: NO!!

Why/Why Not?

Suave Body Wash: Like the other Suave body wash that we chatted about in my January Finishes post, this one is still a maybe for me. I will say that I liked the Cocoa Butter & Shea scent much better than the Almond one. I’m a sucker for anything cocoa butter! But, this body wash didn’t lather very well and I felt like it was drying my skin out. Maybe it would be better to use during the warmer months but, during the middle of winter, it was just not enough to keep my skin hydrated. It took me exactly one month to finish one bottle.

Garnier Micellar Water: We all know I’d use this product again. Thank you, next!

B&BW Lotions: I used up Pretty As A Peach and Orchard Leaves & Blue Sky travel sized lotions from Bath & Body Works after a long soak in the tub and it was nice! I am partial to Pretty As A Peach but, the Orchard Leaves & Blue Sky smelled really good. Its scent was exactly like breathing in crisp autumn air and it was refreshing after the sweeter peach aroma. I got about one and a half full body uses out of one travel sized bottle.

Fresh Cleanser: I received this soy cleanser by Fresh during a huge freebie haul from Sephora and it was disappointing at best. The only positive, was that it smelled like cucumbers and I really liked that! However, the cleanser made my skin feel very tight and it did nothing to remove my makeup. In fact, I don’t think it did anything. It did not lather at all and I would definitely not recommend it.

Glow Recipe Mask: The Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask by Glow Recipe was a freebie during my last Sephora haul. You can read the full review in the Face Mask Festivities post but, just know that this product is not worth the forty five dollar price tag for a full jar in no way shape or form. I have used daily moisturizers that were more nourishing than this sleep mask and I had to use a lot of product to feel like it was doing anything. Not impressed and I would not recommend it.

Although this batch of empties was not the best, I’m still happy to have used them up! There is nothing better than finishing a product and moving on to the next thing that you have been dying to try. 😀

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

Feb1

Face Mask Festivities: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Face Mask Festivities: Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask Edition

Hi everyone and welcome to a new issue of Face Mask Festivities! Today, we are going to be chatting about the Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask that I got FO FREE from my last Sephora Haul. I love me a good sleeping mask, so I was very excited to give this one a try. Glow Recipe is also a Korean beauty brand, and I always enjoy experimenting with that type of skin care – especially since K beauty made ample waves throughout 2018. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

glowglow1glow2glow3

My two favorite sleeping masks are the Vitamin E and Drops Of Youth Bouncy masks from The Body Shop. And, sadly, I can’t add this Glow Recipe one to my list of faves. It was fine, but there was nothing special about it that would warrant a forty-five dollar price tag for a full sized jar.

My main problem with this mask was its texture. I am so used to the super rich Vitamin E and the gel Drops Of Youth masks from TBS, and this mask just didn’t meet those standards. It had a consistency that was slightly thicker than Lubriderm lotion and there was nothing that felt plush or pampering about it. I like when sleeping masks are a thick cream or gel, because I feel like it’s really getting into my skin as I catch some Z’s, as it doesn’t absorb right away. The Glow Recipe mask absorbed within thirty minutes, and I felt like it didn’t do anything during my beauty sleep.

My skin did feel hydrated upon awakening, but it was the hydration that you would feel from a standard moisturizer, not a high end sleep mask. Although any mask is nice to try out, in my opinion, I wouldn’t recommend this one unless you got a sample. The price is far too steep for a product that did not work as well as something that you could get from a drugstore. #notimpressed

What is your favorite brand of K beauty products? What is your favorite sleeping mask to use? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan31

Sephora Haul

Posted on by
Standard
Sephora Haul

Hi! Every four months or so, I like to stock up on the goodies that I use from Sephora. AKA, my Better Than Sex mascara and a fabulous hair balm by IGK. All of my Sephora shopping is always done online, because they sure know how to add on the freebies with excellent promotions and samples. And, it is always free shipping if you spend over fifty dollars, which is so not hard to do! Take a look at my most recent haul and let’s discuss:

haulsephora

The Haul:

  • Sephora Favorites Lashstash To Go gift set
  • IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm
  • Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Deliciously Shiny Lipstick sample (FREE!)
  • Atelier Cologne perfume sample (FREE!)
  • Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry (FREE!)
  • Glow Recipe Avocado Sleeping Mask sample (FREE!)

I was so happy to have purchased the mascara gift set because, not only did it come with five samples of mascara, but it included a voucher to get a full size of your favorite for free. This gift set was twenty-eight dollars, and a full size of any of the mascaras in the set is usually twenty-four or twenty-five bucks. Talk about a steal! The mascaras that came in the set are Too Faced’s Better Than Sex, Buxom’s Lash Mascara, Lancome’s waterproof Monsieur Big, Smashbox’s Super Fan, and Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes. I’m looking forward to trying all of these mascaras but, let’s be honest, we all know that I’ll be getting a full size in Better Than Sex!

Purchasing my IGK hair balm was also a must for me. Although it’s a bit pricey at twenty-nine dollars, it takes me a good long while to finish one bottle. I began using the one I’m on right now in October and I’m still not done with it – and I use it daily. So, I’m definitely willing to shell out for something that lasts me that long. And, my hair has never been more soft and shiny since my IGK regimen so, continue to shell out, I will.

And, finally, the freebies! With each Sephora online purchase, you get at least two to three free samples to choose from. This time, I picked a perfume sample in Vanille Insensee, which is divine and two lipstick pods from Guerlain to swatch. I also used one of their promo codes to receive a free mini jar of the Glow Recipe Avocado Sleeping Mask, which you can review in tomorrow’s Face Mask Festivities. To top it off, I used my Beauty Insider points for a free Clinique Chubby Stick. I am obsessed with these moisturizing balms that give the perfect pop of color and I just had to give a more red shade a go. I can’t wait to try it out!

I have such fun shopping online with Sephora and picking out the best deals to give me the most bang for my buck. And, judging from the haul above, I’d say that I did a pretty good job!

Which stores offer the best online discounts? How do you shop smart at Sephora? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan30

January 2019 Finishes

Posted on by
Standard
January 2019 Finishes

Hiiii everyone and welcome to our first finishes post of 2019! We are one month into the new year and, since basically anything beats the month that I had in December, I’d say that I’m feeling pretty good! Because I wasn’t well enough to comply with my beloved beauty routines last month, it felt good to fall back into the swing of all of my self care and this brought me lots of empties to chat with you about today. Take a look and let’s discuss:

jann

Would I Use Again?

  • Suave Almond Verbena body wash: Maybe
  • Bath & Body Works Mango Mandarin body spray: Yes
  • Lubriderm Daily Moisture lotion: Yes
  • Unknown brand Radiance Crystal Cleansing Foam: YES!
  • Garnier Micellar Water: Yes
  • AlpineSilk moisturizer: Yes
  • Clinique Moisture Surge moisturizer: YES!

Why/Why Not?

Suave Body Wash: This Almond Verbena body wash by Suave was just okay. It smelled fine, it lathered fine but could be better, and I finished the bottle in one month. I wouldn’t go out of my way to use it again but, if it was cheap and available, I would probably get it.

B&BW Body Spray: I loooove the Mango Mandarin body spray from B&BW and I stock up on it every year during their summer sale. It’s the perfect fragrance for a warm day, but it is also nice to use during the colder months to add some sunshiney pep to your step. Any citrus scent always goes down well with me, especially when it takes me over five months to finish one bottle!

Lubriderm Lotion: I am constantly getting new tattoos and Lubriderm has become a staple in my bath and body care hoard. It feels oh so good on fresh ink and it helps move along the healing process. My tattoo artist recommends applying it to new tattoos once in the morning, afternoon, and night and it takes me about four months to finish one bottle.

Crystal Cleansing Foam: I, sadly, have no idea what brand made the Radiance Crystal Cleansing Foam and I really wish I did, because I LOVED IT. Foam cleansers are my favorite to use, simply because it feels really good and my skin always feels so fresh after using it. This face wash removed my makeup and left my skin feeling so soft and looking really bright. I started using this product in mid October and I finished it at the end of January, so it was an amazing value, to boot!

Garnier Micellar Water: Another product that has become a staple in my beauty routine is the Garnier Micellar Water. I like to use it as a toner and a makeup remover and it always does its job well. And, as per ushe, it took me one month to finish one bottle.

AlpineSilk Moisturizer: I purchased this moisturizer from TJMaxx a while back ago and finished it up in mid January. I liked this product because a little went a long way and you didn’t need to cake it on for your skin to feel hydrated. It took me about a month and a half to finish this moisturizer up and I would definitely use it again if I found it the next time I was at TJ’s.

Clinique Moisturizer: This is my second sample of the Moisture Surge moisturizer by Clinique and I love it just as much the second time around. I can’t even describe the texture of it – it’s a lot lighter than a gel moisturizer, though, so it spreads so easily across your skin and, my god, does it hydrate. After one use, my skin felt so good and supple and it just glowed. I would LOVE to get a full sized jar of this product and am hoping to find it at TJMaxx some day. Fingers crossed!

January was a great month for empties and I loved being able to pamper myself the way I like with all of my favorite products. I missed using all of my bath and body and skin care goodies in December, so it felt so good to indulge in all of the items that have become must haves in my beauty routine. 🙂

Have you used any of the products discussed above? What were your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan15

How Do You Take Care Of Childhood Or Unexpected Skin Damage?

Posted on by
Standard
How Do You Take Care Of Childhood Or Unexpected Skin Damage?

If you had any kind of serious skin condition growing up, it could continue to affect you in your adult life. For example, if you grew up with eczema that was quite bad, skin scarring is normal. You could have patches of skin that have darker or lighter pigment. You might also have little dents and dips in your skin, especially on the face since that’s where a lot of soft skin tissue is. Or you could have dry patches of skin that somehow never really seem to heal fully. They feel coarse and rugged as you graze your hands over them, despite not scratching or having a condition in that spot for a long time. So how can one repair skin damage of different kinds to get back to your normal color and healthy bounce? Find out below:

The thicker the better:

Stop using store-bought creams if you can. They often have acids and harmful chemicals in them to make them more broad in terms of use. It’s far better to speak to a doctor that can give you advice for every day emollients that come in ointment form. Emollients are purposefully designed to sink into the skin layers and retain moisture. That’s where the issue is in dry skin. Because it cannot retain moisture it cannot properly heal, so the pigment doesn’t change and the skin feels very coarse. Ointment is a lot thicker and sinks into the skin deeper than cream can. The trouble is, that it takes time for this to happen, so go easy on the amount you use and spread it around evenly.

An unexpected burn:

Our skin is incredible and the largest organ on the body. However, even though we can walk away from horrific accidents, our skin may not be aesthetically pleasing. The body doesn’t care about looks and it just wants to survive and heal as best as it can. If you have been unexpectedly involved in an accident of some kind be it in a car accident or a machinery accident at work, you should let NBA Law Firm handle your legal case. They have many different kinds of legal case experience. It’s not just your typical personal injury claims they deal with, but burn victims too. They recognize that burns can be both emotionally and physically traumatic and can get you compensation, which can then be used for surgery that can help your burned skin. But, for everyday maintenance, you should be using sensitive skin creams and doctor-prescribed topical steroid creams. These will prevent cracks from occurring in already damaged skin and protect you from the sun’s rays.

Skin damage can occur when we’re little and unless we take action to heal up by ourselves, our bodies may never make that final push. Speak to your dermatologist today and see what can be done to help your skin heal.

Jan10

TJMaxx Beauty Haul

Posted on by
Standard
TJMaxx Beauty Haul

Howdy! Thanks to some generous gift cards to my favorite store, TJMaxx, which I received for Christmas and some extra spending money compliments of their store credit card, I was able to have quite the beauty haul this past weekend. Whenever I have gift cards for TJ’s, I always try and purchase the things that I am going to need with it, like the products that I use in my skin and hair care routine. I made out like a bandit and got all of the following, which means that I won’t have to restock my hoard for a good long while. Check it out:

haulll

The Haul:

  • Alba Botanica Hawaiian facial wash
  • Evoluderm micellar water
  • Global Beauty Care Glowing Metallic face mask
  • The Body Shop Oils Of Life serum x2
  • Lanoline eye serum
  • Rusk heat protecting serum
  • Danielle Laroche day cream

When it comes to all of my skin care products, I like having the next one that I am going to use handy so I don’t have to make any emergency trips to the store because I ran out of moisturizer. My haul was completely free, and I was able to restock everything that I will need for the next handful of months. And, for the Oils Of Life serums, I’ll be set for at least a half a year. 😀

All of the products that I selected seemed to be of great quality, reasonable prices, and Leaping Bunny Certified. I am looking forward to trying out all of these new brands because, aside from The Body Shop, I’ve never used any of the above before. I am the most excited to try out the moisturizer and face mask. Since purchasing my Azure Lux Rose Gold Sparkling Serum from TJ’s a few months ago, I have been obsessed with products with gold in it. So, be on the lookout for a new Face Mask Festivities post coming soon!

Has anyone used any of the products that I purchased in my haul? What were your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec26

Bath Bomb Blitz: 5 Below Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Bath Bomb Blitz: 5 Below Edition

Howdy! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Today, we are going to discuss one of the prezzies I got from my BFF in this new edition of Bath Bomb Blitz. Although it was a super thoughtful gift and I love Lea more than life itself, this bath bomb from 5 Below was the worrrrrst. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

5b15b25b3

When I think of bath bombs, I think of wonderful little delights that smell awesome and make a show of the bath water before taking a relaxing soak. And, unfortunately, this bomb from 5 Below had none of the above criteria going for it. It smelled like nothing, even though the scent was cotton candy. And, it did nothing to change my bath water other than fizz out. However, I will grant that it did take at least three minutes to dissolve completely, which is pretty good!

I love bargain stores more than the next but, when it comes to bath bombs, I’ll definitely be leaving it to the experts at Lush for the full experience. I am glad to know that the 5 Below bath bombs are not the best, though, so that I know not to gift them for people or give them a try myself! A blessing in disguise! 😀

Which brand makes the best bath bombs? What is your favorite bath bomb from Lush? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah