Tag Archives: skin care

Apr7

Are You Looking After Your Skin The Way You Should?

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Are You Looking After Your Skin The Way You Should?

As the largest organ in the body, our skin’s health is something that we should always take seriously. When we look after our skin, not only do we avoid a range of diseases and disorders but it also looks more beautiful, too- which is not a bad thing! Nice skin can improve confidence and self-esteem and is something that will always be considered an attractive asset. Are you looking after your skin the way that you should? Here are some things to bear in mind:

Cut Back On (Or Quit!) Your Vices:

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs all have a huge impact on the skin. Using these toxic chemicals will make you more prone to age damage, cause the skin to become dehydrated, and even give it a sallow appearance. Not only are these vices horrendous for the body but they’re not good news for the way you look, either. If you’re suffering from addiction, speak to your GP who can advise you on what to do next. If not, cut back on the things that you know are bad for you.

Another habit people have is cooking themselves in the sun in the name of beauty – but that tan will fade. However, the damage it leaves behind won’t! Clinics these days have great treatments to combat the signs of aging, Botox for example from companies like http://kitagawadermatology.com/botox can help to blur fine lines and wrinkles. Botox is a great tool for an instant glow up on your face and it is so important to go to someone reputable for it. This is especially true if you’re going in for a more specialised treatment. It’s now possible for example, to go to a dentist for Botox injections and other oral treatments, but it’s important to be safe. To find a trusted practice, you should search online for a “dentist that does botox near me“ to find a reputable clinic in your area. But of course, keeping your skin youthful for as long as possible is your best bet. So start looking after your skin today, your future self will thank you!

Exfoliate The Right Way:

If you’re regularly exfoliating your skin, that’s great news. It can remove dead skin cells which make the skin look dull and also stimulate the skin to create more collagen. However exfoliating should always be gentle. If your face feels raw, tight, or sore afterwards, you’re either going too hard or using the wrong product. Never use a body exfoliater on your face, the grains are far too large and can cause damage. On the flip side, try to avoid ‘microbeads’, too. While these work well for gently exfoliating the skin, they’re awful for the environment and water companies struggle with removing them from the water. Cleansing brushes are also a good option as they clean deep down into the pores and also remove flakes and dead skin, too. These can be used with your regular facial wash. Again use gentle motions and be very careful not to scrub too hard which will damage and irritate the skin.

Eat The Right Foods:

A well as looking after your skin on the outside, you also need to nourish it from the inside, too. A healthy diet will provide your body with all of the vitamins and minerals that you need to keep your skin at its best. If you lack in anything, it will be quick to show in your skin. Fresh produce, healthy fats (such as avocados and fish), and whole grains will all boost your skin’s health. Hydration is important, too. Eating fruits and veggies with a high water content and drinking plenty of water will all be beneficial for your skin.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar29

You’re Never That Old! How To Slow Down The Aging Process

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Most of us wouldn’t dare to admit it, but there are certain times in life where it feels good to be just that little bit smug. This could be when the work project you pushed for that no one else had any faith in comes good. Or maybe the investment that friends and family said was a waste of time actually brings you back a healthy return. The majority of people will try and hide their smugness in these kinds of situations, even if they feel pretty happy with themselves on the inside! But one thing is certain, and that is that internally, we are patting ourselves on the back and enjoying basking in a little bit of self righteousness.

Another example of this happening is when people think that you look younger than you are! We are a society that is obsessed with aging and with trying to hold the years off for as long as possible. The media plays a huge role in this. Just watch television for a matter of minutes, and you are sure to see at least one anti-aging product grace your screen in an advert. This has made much of the general public fearful of getting older and is why we praise people for looking younger than their years. On a more personal level, retaining some of your youthful features can simply be a big confidence boost, especially if your body-image is at all important to you. Of course, none of us are (regrettably) going to stay 21 forever. But there are certain things that you can do to keep an air of youth about you, even if the years are creeping up a little bit faster than you would like!

Work Out Regularly:

When it comes to working out to stay looking young, you need to first be aware of your body’s limitations. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise, you simply won’t have the physical prowess at 40 that you had at 15. Forcing yourself through hard workouts just because you used to be able to do them means you probably won’t enjoy your fitness journey all that much. Plus, you could put your body at risk of serious damage, too. A youthful body is not worth any long-term damage, so just be realistic about your expectations. All that said, working out on a regular basis obviously does have many benefits to both your physical and mental health – and can contribute to you looking younger.

You may find that as your approach middle age you put weight on more easily (this is typically known as ‘the middle-aged spread’), so you need to switch up your exercise regime to accommodate for this. You may need to simply accept that you will be a little heavier as you get older, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be ‘out of shape,’ necessarily. Change your gym routine so that you are doing more weight-based exercises, as this will help to tone up any excess fat you are carrying. You may be bigger and heavier overall, but if you are still fit and toned no one will really be able to tell that you’ve aged.

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Namaste Forever Young!

Seek Professional Help:

Sometimes the aging process isn’t all that kind to us and it can creep up on us when we least expect it. If you look down at yourself one day and don’t recognize your body as your own, it can be pretty shocking and disheartening. When this happens, you need to assess the situation and see if it is possible for you to turn back the clock on your own. Often, there is only so much that you can do with exercise and supposed ‘miracle’ products – and you could end up wasting a lot of time and money in the process of trying both of these. Instead, it might be worth finding out about Dr. David Halpern or a similar expert in both general and reconstructive surgery. Then, you can ensure that you are speaking to someone who is trained in this medical field and they will be able to offer you concise and honest advice on whether this could be the kind of route for you to go down. And, contrary to some beliefs, there is absolutely no shame in this!

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Flickr Image

Be Good To Your Skin:

Our skin is probably the biggest giveaway for our age. If you have always been plagued by oily skin, you could be in luck, however, as oily-skinned people tend to develop fewer wrinkles. Why? Well, mainly because the sebum (oil) helps to keep the skin plump and full of moisture, which in turn wards off wrinkles. People with sensitive skin or dry skin may find that they develop wrinkles earlier, or that the wrinkles they do develop are deeper or more pronounced. This can be a severe knock to your confidence and many of us end up piling our faces full of makeup to mask any lines. But this, in turn, can actually make us look older, as the makeup inevitably seeps into the lines and gives that ‘cakey’ effect.

The best thing to do if you have noticed lines and wrinkles appearing is to go back to the basics – stay out of the direct sunlight, drink lots of water, and get enough sleep! UV rays are the leading cause of aging on the skin, as they damage the DNA that makes up our skin cells. Try and stay out of the sun between 11 AM and 2 PM when it is at its lowest and always wear sunscreen. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day and to get around 8 hours of sleep every night. These things might not seem like much, but adopting a healthier lifestyle can help infinitely in keeping your skin looking healthy and fresh. Have you ever noticed how dull your skin looks after a poor night’s sleep or when you’re feeling dehydrated? And finally, don’t overburden your skin with products either – find a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer that works for you and stick to that. Your skin will be radiant and you can bask in all of the compliments you will receive for looking younger than your years – smug, who?! Oh yes, me!

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Best. Eye Cream. EVER!

I’m still working on finding the Fountain Of Youth, myself, but hopefully these tips and tricks will motivate you to make some healthy changes to stay on your eternal youth A-game!

Mar28

March 2017 Finishes

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March 2017 Finishes

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday! With another month in 2017 behind us, it is now time for another beauty finishes post for March. I didn’t finish too many products this month, only three. Despite a lack of empties in this edition, I did really enjoy all of the products that I used up for the most part. And even if I didn’t care too much for something, it’s always exciting to get to the end of a jar or bottle with the promise of trying something new afterwards! Take a look at my empties for the month and let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Philosophy Sugary Cinnamon Icing lotion: MAYBE
  • The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost: OBVIOUSLY!
  • Lanocreme Defining Day Cream: YES

Why/Why Not?

Philosophy Lotion: My ex boyfriend’s darling mother got me this for Christmas last year and I just got around to using it this month. Honestly, I’m not really sure how to feel about Philosophy products. All I see is average lotions and shower gels for an extravagant price. Don’t get me wrong, this lotion smelled delicious and it was extremely moisturizing but so are countless other lotions and butters for a lesser cost. Also, the plastic used for the shower gel and lotion bottles make it extremely difficult to squeeze any product out, hence the pump I put on to combat that issue. I finished this lotion after about six uses and if it were given to me as a gift I would definitely use it again but I would never buy it for myself otherwise.

TBS Skin Boost: I mean, you guys already know how much I love this product considering every three months or so it shows up on my empties posts like clockwork! But as a brief reminder, the Vitamin C Skin Boost from The Body Shop is the best thing that has ever happened to my skin. It leaves my face looking radiant and bright, my skin feels well moisturized, this product also mattefies, and it sits well under makeup. Need I say more? It took me three months to finish this product.

Lanocreme Moisturizer: I purchased this day cream from TJMaxx and it was made in New Zealand, which is fun! This cream was a little thicker than the Vitamin E moisturizer from The Body Shop but it still absorbed just as well. Its scent was light and soft and it left my skin feeling hydrated and supple. My makeup sat well over it and I got a good month’s worth of use out of the product so I think it was absolutely worth purchasing. If I was at TJs and this cream was available again, I am positive that I would add it to my shopping cart!

Over all, I got to use some really nice skin and bath and body care products this month and I’m happy with everything that I used up. Although I’m not Philosophy’s number one fan, it was nice to use something that I wouldn’t have bought for myself. And, of course, my Vitamin C Skin Boost and Lanocreme moisturizer were fantastic, which makes up for any blah philosophical feelings! 😉

So there you have it, my March 2017 Finishes! Which products did you use up this month? Have you used any of the items that I have listed above? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar27

The Body Shop Store Closing Sale

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The Body Shop Store Closing Sale

Hiii everyone and happy Monday! This past week, I learned the unfortunate news that the only Body Shop within a one hundred twenty mile radius of me is closing because of a leasing problem with the mall. Because of this, the ENTIRE store was half off and although I did have a major haul a month ago from TBS, my mom and I just had to stop in because half off. We got so many goodies that I don’t even know what to do with them all and I am so excited for some mom and sister spa nights in the future with all of our new spoils. Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • A new makeup brush
  • Amazonian Acai Energizing Radiance Mask
  • Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask
  • Vitamin E moisturizer
  • 2 bronze eyeshadows
  • Drops Of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask
  • Strawberry scrub
  • Vanilla body mist
  • Satsuma bar soap

Grand Total: About ninety dollars (craziness!!!)

Believe me, I had zero intentions of making such a large purchase. In fact, on our way to the store I even told myself in my head that I was not going to buy anything. Well, it was a nice thought, anyways. But I just couldn’t help myself. The deal was so excellent and it only seemed right to stock up on some favorites as well as try out some new items. The Amazonian Acai and Himalayan Charcoal masks, for example, are never included in the online sales so to get them for half off was such a treat because I would have never bought them otherwise.

I am also so hyped for my Drops Of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask because it is a personal favorite item that I rarely buy for myself. Normally, when I shop TBS I just stick to the products that I would consider my skin care essentials so to load up a shopping bag full of items that I usually would never buy for myself felt SO good. New makeup brushes, fragrances, and masks are not a high priority for me when I’m shopping TBS – but god knows I want them! To have a total treat yoself moment was just what the doctor ordered but still, it sucks that the store is closing. -_-

Despite the downer of an occasion to shop, my mom and I both got some wonderful products for ourselves (her purchases are not pictured). I think that I am most excited about my Vanilla body mist, actually. I’ve loved their Vanilla scent for as long as I can remember because it’s a fragrance that my mother loves. It’s such a pure, rich fragrance and it seriously smells good enough to eat. I snagged the very last one and it will definitely be a nice change from my Satsuma and apple scented sprays that I’m currently working on. In fact, I think I’ll wear it today!

I wish nothing but the best for the beautiful ladies who were employed at The Body Shop because, unfortunately, they are now all out of work. All of them always made our shopping experiences wonderful every time my mom and I would shop in store. I have no doubt that all of them will find new companies to share their talents with soon! ❤

So there you have it, my haul from The Body Shop Store Closing Sale. Who is lucky enough to have a TBS near them? 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

Mar21

Forever Young: It’s Never Too Early To Start Delaying The Aging Process

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Forever Young: It’s Never Too Early To Start Delaying The Aging Process

Most of us want to look and feel youthful for as long as possible. Even if you’re only in your 20’s or 30’s, it’s never too early to start thinking about trying to delay the aging process. It’s impossible to make time stand still, but there are ways that you can look younger and prevent the effects of aging from taking their toll prematurely. Here are some tips to help you stay forever young besides listening to the song on repeat for the rest of your life:

Look After Your Skin: Your skin is usually the first part of your body to display visible signs of aging and it really is never too early to start protecting and caring for it. Your skin is your body’s barrier against the environment and it has to withstand a lot. Take care to protect it from the elements and nourish it using skin care products. Always wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and never go to bed wearing makeup. Choose products that suit your skin type and treat yourself to a pampering session from time to time. If you’re tired, an indulgent facial could be just what you need to lift your spirits and restore your skin’s radiant glow.

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Ahhhh 🙂

Brush Up On Dental Hygiene: If your teeth are worn, broken, or stained, this can make you look a lot older than you are. In contrast, a healthy-looking and bright smile can make you look incredibly youthful. Take good care of your teeth and gums and don’t shy away from the dentist. Regular checkups reduce the risk of decay and gum disease by up to 60 percent and you can boost this statistic even further by sticking to a thorough daily oral hygiene regime at home. Remember to swap your toothbrush every 3-4 months and brush for 2 minutes each time. If you’re interested in natural whitening to give your smile that little bit of sparkle, take a look at websites like https://miswakclub.com/. If you’re worried about discoloration, consider using a straw when you drink, especially if you are a fan of wine, cola, or coffee.

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Smile!

Get Your Body Moving: Exercise isn’t just important for your health now, it’s also essential for good health in years to come. If you work out on a regular basis or you have an active lifestyle, you’ll cut your chances of developing illnesses such as cancer, obesity, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. People who exercise are also less likely to suffer from stress, which can be a cause of premature aging. Keeping in shape will also help to reduce the risk of injuries in later life and improve the radiance of your complexion. When you’re moving, blood flow to the skin increases and this ensures that your skin cells get all the nutrients they need. If you need more convincing, check out more benefits of exercise here https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/.

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Namaste in bed!

We’re all going to get older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to look or feel our age. If you’re keen to maintain your youthful looks and joie de vivre for as long as possible, hopefully these tips will inspire you and help you to make positive changes to your lifestyle.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb26

February 2017 Finishes

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February 2017 Finishes

Hi everyone and happy weekend! The month of February seemed to whizz by and I’m thankful for it because I love the spring time so I am SO ready for March. I didn’t use up too many products this month but I did get to use a lotion from one of my favorite Bath & Body Works scents so take a look at my empties and then let’s discuss:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Bath & Body Works French Lavender & Honey lotion: YES!!!
  • The Body Shop Fiji Green Tea exfoliater: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin E moisturizer: YES

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Lotion: French Lavender & Honey has skyrocketed to one of my favorite Bath & Body Works scents. My best friend got me this for my birthday last year, I think, and I just now got around to using it. It’s weird, because normally I don’t like lavender – I despise it, actually. But this scent is the farthest thing from lavender that I can think of! It has all of these delicious floral hints to it but the honey scent softens it into something that’s so light and pretty and I just love it. I really want to get the eau de toilette of it soon because the bottle is so pretty and, of course, it smells delicious! I finished this product after six uses.

TBS Exfoliater: The Fiji Green Tea scent from The Body Shop is admittedly not my favorite but I do love using their exfoliaters when I’m shaving. This scrub got passed down to me by my mom as it came in the gift set that she got because she loves the perfume. I wouldn’t go out of my way to get this exact scent again but I wouldn’t say no to it either. The Body Shop’s exfoliaters give me such an exact and close shave, so the scent doesn’t matter too much to me! I finished this travel sized product in three uses.

TBS Moisturizer: You guys already know how much I love The Body Shop’s Vitamin E moisturizer. This cream is so light and soft yet lush and hydrating and it always leaves my skin feeling perfect. It absorbs quickly, smells great, and sits well under makeup. What more could you want in a moisturizer? This product took me about a month and a half to finish.

Although I didn’t finish up too many bath and body and skin care goodies this month, I still got to use some of my favorite products to treat myself with so I would still say that the month of February was very successful! I am currently using some Philosophy products that I got gifted with so I’m excited to tell you all about them in March!

So there you have it, my February 2017 Finishes! What products did you use up this month? What are some of your favorite scents from TBS or B&BW? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb24

Major Body Shop Haul

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Major Body Shop Haul

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! So The Body Shop recently had a forty percent off sale online that I took full advantage of on Valentine’s Day. I decided a while ago that the next time TBS had a good percentage off sale, that I would order a year’s supply of all of my must have products so that I wouldn’t have to spend the year chasing the best deals. Not only did I get all of my necessities for a fraction of the cost, but I also got two body butters for FREE! Take a look at my haul and let’s discuss:

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The Haul:

  • 4 Vitamin C Skin Boosts
  • 1 Nutriganics Eye Cream
  • 2 Vitamin E Moisturizers
  • 2 Brush On Radiances
  • 2 British Rose Body Butters (free!)
  • 2 sample products (also free!)

The Total: $110

So normally I don’t like to post about how much I spend on myself BUT this was such a great deal that I really felt the need to talk about it in its full extent. For about twelve dollars a pop, I was able to get everything that I needed (for the most part) for an entire year. That’s huge. Not only was I completely thrilled with the amount that I spent, but I was also so happy to get two free body butters out if it! For Valentine’s Day, TBS was offering a free British Rose body butter, lotion, shower gel, or bubble bath with a fifty dollar purchase so of course I went with the body butter as it was the best value. I can’t say that I totally love the British Rose scent but beggars can’t be choosers and they will still be a nice addition to my lotion hoard!

You guys already know that I love to shop and I rarely have a problem with spending money BUT I always look for the best deal when I’m making a purchase. I really felt like I was getting the best value for my money with this online haul. I mean, 110 bucks for a year’s supply of your skin care necessities? Hello! Of course the moisturizers will need restocked but that’s what Target and TJMaxx is for as well as my June birthday!

I am so SO happy with my Major Body Shop Haul and am looking forward to a year of barely having to make any skin care purchases. That in itself made this order money well spent! What are some of your favorites from TBS? What skin care item can you not live without? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb16

Sweet Spring MOTD

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Sweet Spring MOTD

Hii everyone and welcome to the next post in my Think Spring guest bloggers series by my darling friend, Jackie, from Makeup and Beyond. I am so excited to have her share her makeup expertise with all of you because you and I both know that I wear the same makeup literally every day! Jackie is going to teach you guys how to create a soft and sweet look perfect for a spring afternoon with the girls. For more fabulous MOTDs and beauty advice, please be sure to check out her page and give it some love!

Sweet Spring MOTD

Hey Guys!!

My name is Jackie from the blog Makeup and Beyond. My usual posts are about makeup/beauty products and this blog is no different apart from…being a guest blogger. The lovely lifewithlilred is doing a series on guest bloggers and I am honored to be a part of it. Spring is in the air, which brings new makeup looks and a fresh color palette to compliment the season. I have put together a look that I would use for going out for a coffee with mates or a stroll through the park if the weather permits!

First, I want to apologize for the bad photo quality, I took about 40 photos to try and get this look perfect, but I just couldn’t get the quality through the pictures. These were the best that I could do and any tips would be much appreciated. (I think they look great! -Sarah)

I always start with moisturizer first. I personally use Clinique Dramatically Cream, but whatever you use will be fine, this is just my preference at the moment. I let that settle into my skin for a couple of minutes to make sure that it all seeps in nicely. I then move on to my primer. I love using the Benefit POREfessional, this is great for disguising pores, which I have on my cheeks, nose, and forehead. I tend to use this all over my face, though, as it gives a smooth base to apply my foundation.

That’s the prep work done for my base and now I am just going to list the products I used and how I used them:

  • Foundation – Estee Lauder Double Wear (2N1 Desert Beige) – I apply this with a damp Real Techniques sponge all over my face.
  • Concealer – Maybelline Eye Eraser (Light) – I apply this under my eyes and blend out with the damp sponge used to apply my foundation.
  • Powder – Rimmel Stay Matte (Translucent) –  I apply this all over my face to set my foundation and concealer.
  • Bronzer – Makeup Revolution Ultra Bronze – I do a slight contour with this on my cheeks and blend into my forehead and under my chin
  • Blush – Milani Baked Blush (Luminoso) – I apply this to the apple of my cheeks, just to give a nice healthy glow.
  • Highlighter – I Heart Makeup Goddess of Love (Goddess of Faith) – I used this to highlight my cheek bones, down my nose and my cupids bow
  • Eye Primer – Urban Decay Original Primer Potion – I apply this all over my lid to ensure that it’s blended well and then apply my face powder over the top. I do this as the primer is quite tacky and powder makes it easier to blend the eyeshadows.
  • Eyeshadow – Morphe 350 – I used numerous colors from this palette, so I have numbered them below:

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I used 1,2 and 3, all separately, but all blended into my crease. Layering them on top of each other to create a good gradient. I then applied 4 to the center and inner part of my eyelid, then used 3 to apply to my outer corner and blended this together to create a smokey effect.

Over the top of color 4, this being a quite pinky, glittery shade, I wanted to make it pop more. I decided to apply the Maybelline Eyeshadow Color Tattoo in Pink Gold over the top, just to make it stand out more and have a more creamy look to it. I would really recommend this, it’s great to work with and the color is absolutely gorgeous. It definitely gave this look the spring feel that I was looking for.

I then used color 2 and 3 on my lower lash line, to warm up under my eyes.

Eyeliners can be applied if you were looking to turn this into a more evening look, but I think for during the day, smoking out an eyeshadow on your lower lash line is the best option for creating an approachable and soft look for day time wear.

And, finally, here are the products that I used to complete the look:

  • Mascara – Benefit Roller Lash – I used this on my upper and lower lashes. This is one of my new favorites, as it’s made my lashes look longer but also helps them look fluffier by separating them.
  • Eyebrows – Sleep Eyebrow Stylist (Medium) and Benefit Gimme Brow (3)
  • Lips – Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss (Rose & Shine) – I’m not much of a gloss person, but as I was going for a spring look, I thought that the matte lipsticks I have were too bold and I wanted something more subtle.

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did making it and hopefully this will inspire you to create a soft and smokey spring time look of your own! Please visit my page and give me a follow at Makeup and Beyond and thank you to Sarah at lifewithlilred for allowing me to share my passion on her blog.

^^^ Thank you so much again to Jackie for creating this drop dead gorgeous Sweet Spring MOTD! Make sure to tune in tomorrow for some super helpful spring cleaning tips by Christie Adams Writer. Until then, how do you sport a soft makeup look for spring? Do any of you have some of the same products as Jackie in your arsenal? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb16

Fix Your Skin Expert Roundup

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Fix Your Skin Expert Roundup

Heyy guys and happy Thursday! So a couple of weeks ago I was contacted by my friends at Fix Your Skin to give some advice in their 2017 Expert Roundup. I have to say, I was completely flattered to have been one out of the 200 dermatologists, makeup artists, bloggers, and skin care experts that were chosen to participate. Not only flattered but SO FREAKING EXCITED!! What an honor!

Skin care has been something that is extremely important to me since I was a teenager. My complexion has always been a feature of mine that I take a lot of pride in so I have always wanted to maintain peaches and cream perfection since I entered high school. Teenage skin made me nervous. Breakouts, acne, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples – whatever name you have for problem skin, I was scared.

The fear of having high school being even shittier if acne was a problem motivated me to create a regime and find products that worked for me. Through trial and error, I was able to find cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and creams that helped to enhance my skin’s beauty, some of which I still use to this day. And, I hate to jinx myself now, but at twenty-two years old I have never had a pimple in my life!

When I tell people my “never had a pimple” fun fact, I always feel very lucky, especially since all of my life and to this day, I constantly commit the biggest skin care no no: I sleep in my makeup!! But, you know what? That’s okay. If sleeping with makeup on is my one bugaboo after close to ten years of diligently caring for my skin, I’d say that I’m doing alright!

Believe me, my high school years were still shit despite a fresh face but I am so thankful that acne was not a problem that was added onto my pile of stress that came from an abundance of mental health issues. I graduated high school, then, when I was eighteen, I began to work at The Body Shop as one of their assistant managers and that just took my always growing knowledge and passion for skin care to a whole other level.

Working at The Body Shop will always remain one of my favorite retail jobs that I have ever worked. I reveled in being able to assist my customers with their skin care needs and create custom regimens to help solve their problems and boost their confidence. It really was a joy and I loved being able to swap skin care stories and secrets with everyone that walked into my store.

I was hungry to learn about all of the products that The Body Shop as well as our competitors offered to provide customers with the best answers to their questions and I was consistently complimented on my expertise. It felt good to be praised for something that I learned, which rarely happened during my high school career and even after I quit working at TBS, I still would always drop skin care knowledge on my mom, sister, friends, and randoms on Facebook when they needed advice.

When lifewithlilred was born in 2014, I knew that product reviews had to be something that was included on my page. I loved being able to steer my readers in the direction of products that I loved while helping them avoid the ones that were ehh…not so much! And you know, I guess this rambling little story about the past ten years of my skin care experimentation is a roundabout way of getting at that I am really freaking proud of myself to have been chosen by Fix Your Skin to be a part of a roundup of people that they considered experts in skin care.

I may not be working in a skin care based field anymore but I do have a blurb on a website dedicated to helping people with their skin care needs. Check it out and be sure to take a look at the full article for more advice:

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I want to thank Fix Your Skin again for including little old me in their Expert Roundup because it means much more than people probably realize! What are some of your skin care tips and tricks? What is one of your most loved skin care products? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb6

TJMaxx Gift Card Purchases

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TJMaxx Gift Card Purchases

Hi everyone and happy Monday! This past week was the Special Olympics games and it was a fantastically fun time. All of my students were very successful in their events and I couldn’t be more proud. At the banquet following the games, one of my students and his family presented me with a late graduation present – a beautiful framed photo of myself and my student from last year’s games and a gift card to my favorite place on earth…TJMAXX!!! I was so thankful for such a thoughtful gift because they seriously hit the nail on the head. I love having my new picture of such a happy memory on my desk and I had a blast doing some shopping with my mom to spend my gift card this past weekend.

The prezzie actually couldn’t have come at a better time because I’ve been wanting to do a major skin care haul so I can have a year’s supply of all of my must have beauty items without the hassle of waiting around for deals all year. Until the price is right at The Body Shop for all of my necessities, I was able to put two new moisturizers (as I was running low on my Vitamin E TBS cream) and one of my favorite cleansers on back stock. Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • Destiny Boutique charcoal cleanser
  • Lanocreme day cream
  • Arad day cream

In case you guys don’t already know, I’m obsessed with Destiny Boutique and I got this cleanser from TJs not too long ago. But, I saw it in the beauty section and thought it would be a great addition to my skin care back stock so into the cart it went. After finding my favorite cleanser, it was time to look for some new moisturizers. When it comes to creams, my skin really isn’t picky at all but I had the hardest time finding them in the TJs beauty aisle. Seriously, all they seemed to have was night creams and masks so I felt lucky that I found two day creams that I think will work just fine.

I’m always excited to try products that isn’t native to the ol’ USA so when I saw that the Lanocreme moisturizer was made in New Zealand, I definitely wanted to give it a go. As far as the Arad cream goes, I have never used any of their products but I have heard good things so I decided to go with that one, too. I’m a little anxious to try both of these out considering I’ve been using The Body Shop’s Vitamin E moisturizer steadily for the past couple of months so we’ll see how it goes. Fingers crossed that I’ll have good things to say about it in an upcoming monthly beauty finishes post!

The last of my gift card was used on restocking the communal TBS body butter and lotion hoard that my mom and I share. A Raspberry body butter for me, Vanilla Chai for her, and a cocoa butter lotion – my favorite! If you love The Body Shop products as much as my mom and myself and you have a TJMaxx near you, then I can’t recommend stopping in and scoping out their beauty aisle enough. You never know what you might find!

So there you have it, my TJMaxx Gift Card Purchases! What is one of your favorite items from The Body Shop? What is one of your favorite scores from TJMaxx? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah