Tag Archives: skin care

May2

Face Mask Festivities: CVS Avocado Oatmeal Clay Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: CVS Avocado Oatmeal Clay Mask Edition

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! If there’s one thing a Lil Red loves, it’s a clay mask. I don’t buy them too often because I don’t use them too often, but the one that we’re discussing today was a hand me down from my beauty queen sister. It wasn’t the best, but it certainly wasn’t the worst, either. So, take a look and let’s get to it:

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Okay, so a major pro of this mask was that it smelled awesome. It had a nice and creamy texture thanks to the avocado, but it’s scent was rich and sweet from the oatmeal. I have a love/hate relationship with the overall feel of this mask, though. I liked that the consistency of it was lighter than a standard clay mask. But, at the end of the day, I love a really thick texture. It’s a matter of preference, though. I love being able to take a bath and let a thicker mask soak in. It was impossible to do that with the CVS one, because it dried so quickly!

Although this product smelled really good, I am glad that I didn’t go out of my way to purchase it for myself. When I use a face mask, I’m only genuinely concerned about one thing: Blackhead removal. And, unfortunately, my blackheads were none of the better after using this mask even though it’s supposed to be a purifying one. Don’t get me wrong, my skin felt soft after using it and it will be nice to apply every once in a while. But, don’t expect a miracle in this face mask, because you aren’t going to get it.

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

Apr7

Itty Bitty Beauty Haul

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Itty Bitty Beauty Haul

Hiii everyone and happy weekend! I was running low on a few of my beauty staples, so I decided to visit TJMaxx (Of course.) this week so that I could restock. TJ’s offers a wide variety of skin care, makeup, and bath and body care goodies, all for a fraction of the original price. I ended up with a new black eyeliner and a charcoal beauty bar for a whole eight bucks. Take a look:

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Normally, I use CoverGirl’s eyeliner that looks exactly like the one that I got by L’oreal. And normally, I pay around seven dollars for it. Being able to get essentially the same product by a different brand for over three dollars cheaper was a sweet deal. Plus, it takes me at least three or more months to finish an eye pencil in its entirety. This gives me a cost per month of a dollar and change – and I can definitely swing that.

I do have to say, I was a bit disappointed that the past two times that I was at TJ’s, they didn’t have my usual Destiny Boutique charcoal bar that I love so very, very much. So, I had to compromise with the PlantLife bar, instead. Charcoal is charcoal, and it worked the same as the Destiny Boutique bar. It was also about two dollars cheaper. Not bad for a bar that should last me around five months!

Balling on a budget means making compromises. Although it’s nice to use my favorite brands and staple items, I was able to save five bucks by switching things up a bit. Cha-ching!

How do you cut down the cost of your favorite beauty items? Where do you score the best deals on your self care staples? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr2

5 Changes To Your Diet That Will Make Your Skin Glow

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5 Changes To Your Diet That Will Make Your Skin Glow

Tired of having dull, lackluster skin? Want to achieve that natural glow that makes you feel great inside and out? Of course you do! While a good skincare routine goes a long way, the key to radiant skin starts from within. Read about five simple diet changes that will help to make your skin glow:

1. Drink more water:

You might be tired of being told to drink more water, but you won’t know the difference it can make to your skin until you give it a try. Drinking more water has many beauty benefits, and it can be a great anti-ageing tool to keep your skin looking plump and wrinkle-free. Start drinking around eight glasses (more if you’re exercising) and keep yourself hydrated.

2. Ditch the caffeine:

Caffeine might make you feel more awake, but it’s not great for your skin. While caffeine alone isn’t responsible for cellulite, it can add to its appearance – so you might want to lay off caffeine as a way to reduce it. If you’re already dealing with cellulite, you can get advice on how to get rid of it from cellulite.com – it’s a great resource for finding creams and lotions to help improve that. Try caffeine-free versions of your favorite hot drinks or beverages or, better yet, go for natural juice and water, instead.

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables:

Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals, which are all essential for helping your skin to glow. Some of the fruits and vegetables for good skin include vitamin C rich foods like green peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes. Selenium is a mineral that will boost skin elasticity and keep it firm, and you can find it in spinach, lentils, and carrots. Fill up your plate with healthy fruits and vegetables and feed your skin the goodness that it needs.

4. Switch to healthy fats:

We all know that consuming too many fatty foods is bad for you, but that doesn’t mean that all fats are bad. There are healthy fats that can help give your skin a boost, including omega 3, which is found in oily fish like salmon and mackerel. Avocados, walnuts, and olive oil also contain beneficial fats that will help to nourish your skin. Breakfast is a good place to consume healthy fats, so start your day off right with some eggs and other good fats to help your intake.

5. Lower your soda intake:

Soda isn’t recommended for living a healthy diet, and this is particularly true when it comes to your skin. The syrups and sugars contained in soda can have different effects, including the ageing of your skin. Sodas are also very high in calories, and consuming too many calories can lead to weight gain. Opt for sugar free versions if you must drink soda, or cut them out altogether and stick to water.

Glowing skin is an amazing confidence booster that will help you radiate from within. By starting with a good diet, you can help create a glowing complexion and keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. Make some changes to your eating and drinking habits today to experience the benefits for yourself.

Featured Image By: Pxhere

Feb23

February 2018 Finishes

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February 2018 Finishes

Hello everyone! Another month is drawing to a close already, and you know what that means. It’s time to discuss my February finishes! This month, it was all about products from The Body Shop. I used up two skin care goodies and one body butter in February and I felt so pampered to be using such wonderful products from my favorite one stop shop for all things beauty. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

TBS Body Butter: Although The Body Shop has many amazing fruity scents to choose from, and I love them, I am always partial to their softer collections. I love their Shea and Cocoa butter and, of course, their Almond body butter! There is nothing better than taking a nice, warm bath and slathering on this body butter before putting on your jammies. I love the nutty scent and how good it makes my skin feel after using it. It took me about seven full body uses to finish this product.

TBS Face Mask: When it comes to skin care, I love all charcoal everything and this mask is freaking EVERYTHING. Within one use, this charcoal face mask eliminates every single stinking black head on my nose and leaves my skin simply glowing afterwards. Despite this mask being an absolute pain to clean up in the shower after using it, it is so worth it and I am so happy to have another one of these in my hoard for future uses. I got about ten uses out of this container.

TBS Moisturizer: My sister actually gave me this hand me down from the Oils Of Life collection because she couldn’t stand the smell. And, I have to admit, I am not a huge fan of it, either. This moisturizer smells very herbal and some people really like that, but me – not so much. Although I’m not huge on the way it smells, I would use this product again because it left my skin feeling so hydrated and well taken care of. I didn’t notice any immediate changes in my skin from using this moisturizer, but I would like to try it again to see if anything magical happens to my face from it. It took me one month to finish this product.

February was a great month for finishes and even though I didn’t care for the Oils Of Life scent, I would still like to use all of these products again. Those who love The Body Shop as much as me can definitely see why I enjoyed this month in beauty products as much as I did!

Which products did you finish up this month? What is your favorite product from The Body Shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb2

Makeup Free Days

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Makeup Free Days

Howdy! Back in the day, I used to complete my makeup routine almost daily – even if I was staying home for the day. As the years progressed, I realized just how silly this was and began slowly easing into Makeup Free Days. This originally started out as a Sunday occasion, but now, I spend at least half of my week with no makeup on. It’s crazy!

I wouldn’t say that I have this sky high confidence that makes me feel okay with no makeup on. It’s honestly more of a lazy girl thing. I apply my makeup and do my hair when I’m working in the community. But, if I am working from home or just running random errands during the day, I really don’t see the point of painting my face. Once I realized that going out in public with no makeup on wasn’t the end of the world, it became easier and easier to leave the house bare faced.

Of course, makeup free days save me time, but my skin and wallet are also definitely thanking me. I’ve noticed that my skin has looked increasingly healthier as I make my way through the year, because the products that I use after washing my face really gets a chance to sink in and work as opposed to being suffocated by the makeup on top. And, days without makeup equals using less of it, which equals buying less products, which equals more money in my pocket!

It’s a little surprising to me how within a handful of years, I went from caring so much about what complete strangers might think if I left the home in anything but full makeup perfection to running about town fresh faced for three or four days of the week. I guess that’s part of growing up. Getting older sucks. But, feeling okay makeup free is something that I’m definitely okay with!

Has anyone else had a makeup free epiphany similar to mine? How often do you apply makeup during the week? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan28

Mini Skin Care Haul

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Mini Skin Care Haul

Heyy everyone and happy Sunday! One thing that I have a strong passion for in the beauty world is skin care. It’s so important to me to put my best face forward (Literally!) every day, and that always starts with a good skin care routine. I like to use a lot of products from The Body Shop and I am obsessed with all things Vitamin C, so I was super happy with the mini haul seen below:

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If you remember from yesterday’s finishes post, you will have noticed that I just had an empty of the Vital C serum. It was so nice that I had to buy it twice and I felt SO lucky because I picked up the last one ON CLEARANCE FOR SIX DOLLARS at TJMaxx. I was also pleased to have found a Vitamin C moisturizer from The Body Shop with SPF 30, which will be perfect for the summer time, that I also got for a six dollar steal.

As a pale princess, it’s really easy for my skin to take on a pallid appearance, which is why I try to utilize at least one Vitamin C product in my skin care regimen. Vitamin C keeps my skin bright and radiant even on the days when my skin is in the doldrums. I think that a serum is the best for achieving maximum glow, but a moisturizer for the right price can be just as good! And lucky me, I got both for a whole twelve bucks. Score!

Which products are a must in your skin care routine? Who else is Vitamin C obsessed? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan27

January 2018 Finishes

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January 2018 Finishes

Hello!! I can’t believe that January is already drawing to a close and another empties post is upon us. The very first one of 2018! I finished up a ton of products this month, some that I really enjoyed and others – ehh, not so much. So take a look at my finishes for the month and let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

  • St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub & Mask: YES
  • The Body Shop Satsuma shower gel: YES
  • Jones New York White Tea body scrub: NO
  • Jones New York White Tea bath salts: NO
  • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: MAYBE
  • Olay moisturizer: YES
  • The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey body butter: YES
  • Vital C Vitamin C oil: YES

Why/Why Not:

St. Ives Scrub: Of course you guys know by now that I am all about my St. Ives scrubs and besides from their totally delicious apricot one, the Oatmeal Scrub & Mask is one of my favorites. I love that this scrub is creamy and gentle but it has a good amount of grit in it to get all of the gunk out. It took me about a month and a half to finish this product.

TBS Shower Gel: The Satsuma scent from The Body Shop is probably one of my all time favorites, so it was SO nice to use this shower gel every day. TBS gels lather amazingly well and they are nourishing enough that it doesn’t dry out your skin even during the cold winter months. I began using this body wash in mid November and didn’t finish it until halfway through January, which is a wonderful value!

JNY Scrub: I use a body scrub whenever I shave for a closer and smoother hair removal. Unfortunately, this Jones New York product missed the mark for me. The key to a good body scrub is for it to have a lot of grit to it, but this one just didn’t have it. It was so creamy that it was more like rubbing your hairy legs with soap rather than an exfoliater. I got four full body uses from this container.

JNY Bath Salts: I LOVE bath time more than the average human being, but I never really understood the purpose of bath salts. Every single time that I’ve ever used them, it did nothing to add to the bath time experience – No scents, no extra moisturizing, nada. And it’s not just these bath salts, it’s ALL bath salts. What gives?!!!

CeraVe Cream: I got this sample face cream from my recent Walgreens Haul and got three uses out of it. I quite enjoyed this product, because the texture was nice and thick – which is great, because it has been pretty cold in Ohio. I would consider using this cream during the winter months, but it would be far too thick to use during the spring or summer. It definitely left my skin feeling protected and hydrated, though!

Olay Moisturizer: I got this moisturizer in New York during my Bloggers Conference with Kate from Ankhor You in mid October and I finished it HALFWAY THROUGH JANUARY!! This Olay product was an amazing value and I got it for a whole THIRTY THREE CENTS thanks to my Walgreens rewards card. #ballinonabudget. I liked this moisturizer because it was lightweight, absorbed quickly, and I could easily apply my makeup over top of it. I would use this product again in a heartbeat, for sure.

TBS Body Butter: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED the Almond Milk & Honey scent from The Body Shop. It smelled like a richer, sweeter version of their original Almond fragrance, which is one of my favorites. This body butter was so lush and moisturizing and it was a must have in my winter arsenal to combat dry skin. I got about six full body uses out of this butter and I already wish that I had more of it!

Vital C Oil: This face oil was a TJMaxx find that originally costed close to fifty dollars, and it sure felt like it. It took me about two months to finish this product and I would buy it again without question. I used this oil daily and it left my skin looking so radiant and fresh, especially on no makeup days. Not only did it offer an extra glowing boost, but it was also very hydrating, which was fabulous during the winter cold. Freaking loved it.

Overall, I am really happy with all of my finishes this month, despite a few duds. I fully enjoyed all of the products that I liked, and it definitely makes for a successful month of empties when you would buy a majority of them again without a doubt!

Has anyone ever used any of the products seen above? What products did you finish up this month? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan19

Walgreens Haul

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Walgreens Haul

Hi!! So a couple of days ago I got an email saying that Walgreens was doing a freebie bag similar to the one I got previously with a twenty dollar online purchase. I needed to buy more hair dye, anyways, and Walgreens is the only place that carries my beloved Vidal Sassoon shade, so I figured why not. I purchased four boxes of dye to last me until May and got this awesome freebie bag along with it (On top of free shipping and two dollars off from my rewards card!). Check it out:

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There was an amazing amount of goodies in my bag including:

  • Coupons
  • Vitamin/Probiotic samples
  • Lotion/Moisturizer samples
  • Colgate Optic White tooth paste
  • Two Aquaphor lotion sprays
  • CeraVe moisturizer
  • Clean & Clear cleanser
  • Aveeno cleanser
  • CeraVe lotion
  • Gold Bond lotion
  • Pantene volumizing foam
  • La Roche Posay healing balm

It was such fun going through my bag and picking out the items that I wanted and then sharing the wealth with my family for the products that I was not interested in. I spent a grand total of forty dollars for my dye and got so much more in return along with it. I freaking love these Walgreens grab bags and I hope that they are doing another one the next time that I need to restock my hair dye!

Which stores give the best freebies? Are there any beauty products that you stock pile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Walgreens

Jan12

My Skin Care Routine

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My Skin Care Routine

Hellooo! I frequently get compliments on my complexion and questions on my skin care routine. So, today, I thought that I would share my daily regime with all of you. Of course, everyone’s skin is different so you can tailor your routine to the products that suit you best. The products that I use are all for a normal skin type and quite a few of them can be bought at your local drugstores.

Step One: Beauty Bar

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I start off my skin care routine by washing my face with a beauty bar. I take care of this in the shower, because I hate getting water all over my sink. And, a sink doesn’t give you all of that fantastic steam that helps open your pores for a deep clean.

I love to use bars with charcoal in them to help clear blackheads around my nose. But, for now, I am using one of my favorites from Appalachian Naturals, a homemade soap store in North Carolina where my family vacations. This bar is great, because it has some grit in it to exfoliate, but is overall very gentle and also removes makeup, which is another added bonus.

Step Two: Exfoliate

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After I finish washing my face, I use a scrub to get rid of anything that my beauty bar left behind – dry skin, blackheads, makeup, etc. I usually always use a St. Ives scrub and am currently finishing up their Oatmeal Scrub & Mask. I love this mask because it smells delicious and it has a creamy texture with a fair amount of grit in it for a gentle but effective clean. My skin always looks so much fresher and brighter after I use a good scrub, and I would never go a day without one.

Step Three: Toner

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Before I moisturize or use any treatments, I always apply witch hazel as a toner. I first use the witch hazel to clean my nose piercings, as it’s a great antiseptic. Then, I apply it all over my face to prep my skin for my moisturizer and to remove any final crud that washing left behind. Witch hazel minimizes my pores and leaves my skin feeling so clean. I also get fantastic value for the bottle, as it lasts me well over four months.

Step Four: Moisturize & Treatments

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To complete the process, I use a moisturizer and two treatments to get my skin ready for the day. After applying my witch hazel, I use:

  • Nutriganics eye cream from The Body Shop. I have been using this product for close to five years and, at twenty-three, any traces of eye wrinkles are nonexistent.
  • Then, I apply my moisturizer, which I got at Walgreen’s for THIRTY THREE CENTS thanks to their rewards program. I normally use the Vitamin E moisturizer from The Body Shop, but this Olay one works just as well and has lasted me over two months. The texture is light, but it provides a lush hydration and it absorbs well.
  • And, finally, I finish up by using Vital C’s Vitamin C Brightening Face Serum. I always use something with Vitamin C in it to give my skin a radiant glow and this serum is the truth. It gives my skin a smooth finish, perfect for applying makeup, and leaves my skin looking bright and refreshed.

I have been using a skin care routine to the likes of the one seen above since I was about fifteen. Now, as a twenty-something, I have it perfected and could not live without my favorite products!

What is one of your must have skin care products? How do you achieve a flawless complexion? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pibiplast

Dec2

Face Mask Festivities: St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub & Mask

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Face Mask Festivities: St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub & Mask

Helloooo everyone and welcome to the last post in my Face Mask Festivities mini series! Today, we are going to talk about a brand that I love oh so very much – St. Ives. I use St. Ives products every day, whether it be a scrub or body wash, and I always thoroughly enjoy using their skin care and bath and body goodies. The Oatmeal scrub that I’m currently using just so happens to double as a face mask, so I thought that I would finally use a beloved product in a brand new way. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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I was curious to see how this mask would work, because I’ve used it as a scrub countless times but never really bothered to try it differently. I love this St. Ives product as a scrub, but not so much as a mask. The mask instructions read to leave it on for five to seven minutes and I genuinely don’t know how that’s possible. Within about three minutes, this mask felt tight, tight, tight on my face and had already hardened from its dampened form. As you can see by my “after” pic, it left my skin quite irritated and I had to use a heavy moisturizer to get my skin feeling hydrated again.

I will say that this mask smells absolutely delicious. I am a sucker for oatmeal scented products, and this one is no exception. There’s something about the rich, creamy scents that just get me. It makes my skin feel nourished and well taken care of and I really love that. Now, if only this mask made me feel that way, because it left my skin parched for moisture rather than lush and lovely.

The entire time that I had this mask on, although it was short lived, I was thinking about how much I would rather be using The Body Shop’s Honey & Oat Mask, instead. From now on, this St. Ives product is going to stick to its uses as a scrub, because that is where this skin care treat shines.

So there you have it, the last post for this round’s Face Mask Festivities: St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub & Mask Edition! Which mask from this series would you like to try? What are your thoughts on this mask if you have ever used it before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Cision