Tag Archives: skin care

7 Secrets To Create A Spa Experience In The Comfort Of Your Home

Standard

There is no denying it, at the end of the year, sometimes all you need to enjoy the holiday is to relax and feel good in your skin. Easier said than done, you may comment, and you would be completely right. As a modern society, it is becoming more and more difficult to be able to sit down, relax, and forget the everyday pressures of work, studies, and life in general.

While some rely on a night out with friends to get rid of the stress of the routine, others prefer to spend a day at the spa where they will be pampered and looked after. It’s not always easy to find the time to get to the spa, and it’s never 100% relaxing anyway: You are away from home and there’s the possible awkwardness of being surrounded by strangers wearing nothing but towels. So why not take the best of the spa experience and re-create it at home?

#1 Get The Best Hot Towels Experience:

The one thing that is common to every spa is the warm towels that the professionals use to wipe off excess product on your face. This immediately gives a delicious feeling of comfort and care, which helps you relax. If you think that this is impossible to achieve at home, think again. If you have a tumble dryer, you could wet your favorite towels and place them to dry for a few minutes before you start the spa treatment. Make sure that they are not fully dry when you stop the tumble dryer! They will be nice and warm on your face.

Alternatively, if this is not an option, you could soak your towels in hot water and wring them out until they are nearly dry. Let them stay slightly damp. To maximize the sensation, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the water to benefit from the aroma-therapeutic smells as you place the towel on your face.

spa.png

Warm towels are a spa must have!

#2 Relaxing Candles:

You can’t have a proper spa treatment under the harsh light bulbs of your bathroom. You need a soft and calming source of light, such as candles – especially scented ones that help to relax the mind. The light of candles has an immediate relaxing effect, its soothing dimness will ease your thoughts and get you in the spa mood in less time than you need to say ‘spa treatment.’ Choose your candle scents carefully because you don’t want something that smells so overpowering to the point that it’s unpleasant. Wellness candles that contain essential oil will have a positive impact on your mood: Lavender is a common choice, for example.

If candles aren’t your thing, there are countless other ways to help set the vibe. Aromatherapy diffusers, CBD gummies, or even a percolator bong can get you in a relaxed state of mind to fully enjoy your spa experience!

spa1.png

Thomas Wanhoff Image

#3 Find The Right Music:

When you walk into a spa, you generally hear soft and quiet music such as bird songs, the sound of water, or a tranquil oriental piece. While you may not consciously register it, this music can slow down your mind and prepare you to enjoy your spa treatment. If you are one of those people who naturally find it difficult to relax at the end of a long day, you want all the help you can get to set the perfect mood for your spa experience. Finding a calming playlist, with slow tempo music, will help to reduce your blood pressure and let go of the stress that your day brought about.

#4 The Importance Of Massage:

A good massage is not only a relaxing experience, but it also contributes to your overall health. However, you will find it difficult to find a professional masseuse for your at home spa! You could find chairs on the market with heated roller heads that can prove incredibly relaxing, too. If you are not keen to invest in a new piece of furniture, you can still find a smart alternative that will be just as helpful, such as taking a warm bath to soothe your muscles.

#5 Use High-Quality Skincare:

Start your spa day with a facial mask to clear out your skin from all of the impurities that it could have gathered outside. You can decide to treat yourself to a high-quality skincare mask, with the advice of a skin expert. But, if you prefer the organic feel of a spa treatment, you can make your own facial mask by mixing one tablespoon each of turmeric, raw honey, and milk. Then, apply the thick mixture onto your face and leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes. The combined actions of the three ingredients – anti-inflammatory turmeric, anti-bacterial honey, and exfoliating milk – will leave your skin feeling clear and healthy.

spa2.png

Ahhhhh 🙂

#6 Make The Most Of Essential Oils:

Essential oils are common in most spa locations and are used in a variety of treatments for their relaxing, exfoliating, and moisturizing properties. If you, too, want to follow the essential oil route, do make sure to choose only organic oils that will offer the best of the plants. While there are plenty of choices including luxurious blue lotus oil or invigorating citrus, lavender and eucalyptus are two favorites that you will find in most spas. The key when using essential oils is to remember not to apply them directly onto your skin. Instead, you could mix them to your bath water, for example, or soak a washcloth in a mix of water and a few drops of oil. You don’t need much to get the best of them, so make sure to be cautious when using them, as too much could harm your skin.

#7 Make It A Healthy Rendez-Vous With Yourself:

Finish your spa day at home with a healthy treat, such as a cup of fresh green tea, a berry smoothie, or maybe a matcha cupcake if you are feeling a little naughty. Also, do make sure that you are drinking plenty of fresh water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated. Remember that the spa day is about feeling good inside and out, and one of the best ways to do that is to stick to a healthy diet at the same time!

spa3.png

Fresh Green Tea Leaves

TJMaxx Graduation Shopping Spree

Standard
TJMaxx Graduation Shopping Spree

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! This is my college graduation week, so last Friday I decided to go on an online TJMaxx Shopping Spree to celebrate. Like a woman possessed, I rampaged the website just as I would do in store and wound up with a new coat, two pairs of shoes, and a face wash from my new favorite beauty brand. I am seriously in love with everything and seriously impressed with the shipping compliments of TJs. Take a look at my haul and let’s discuss:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Haul:

  • L.A.M.B. metallic booties
  • YOKI denim booties
  • June & Hudson jacket
  • Destiny Boutique face wash

L.A.M.B. Booties: Okay, so usually I am so not one to go gaga over designers but I seriously love Gwen Stefani’s line. Honestly, I just love all things Gwen Stefani period. Her style and confidence inspires me so I was so happy to finally be able to find something from her line at a price that I could actually afford (As opposed to my usual lusting over her brand from afar).

These shoes are so beautiful to me. I have been looking for metallic shoes for a while and these go above and beyond what I was imagining. Not to mention that these babies utilize my favorite pattern – snakeskin! I can’t wait to wear these year round with EVERYTHING. Dresses, skirts, shorts, BLACK SKINNY JEANS…because they are all I wear, you know.

**And did you guys notice the black, draw string bag in the picture? That came FO FREE in the shoe box! Score!!

YOKI Booties: THESE BOOTIES ARE SO CUTE!! As soon as I saw these, they went straight in my shopping cart. These funky little things look like something off of ModCloth and I got them for a mere fraction of the price – twenty-five dollars – which I thought was such a steal. These shoes are just pure fun. I love the patchwork, I love the style of the shoe, and for once I love the color of denim! I own nothing like these or the pair above, for that matter, and I am just so #blessed to be able to open my wardrobe up to them. :*)

June & Hudson Coat: Oh, come on. This thing is fun. I scored this fuzzy little number for a whole twenty dollars and you’re not going to not by a jacket at that price! Lately, I have been obsessed with all things fur and fuzz so this jacket seemed like a perfect addition to my collection. I think that this coat is ridiculous and glam and in your face. I cannot wait to wear it with a bright red lip, slicked back hair, and black lace up heels. Hello, perfect night out outfit.

Destiny Boutique Cleanser: I am currently using my charcoal beauty bar by Destiny Boutique and it is literally the best thing that has happened to my skin care routine in years. So, obviously, when I saw that TJMaxx had the liquid cleanser by my new favorite brand in stock, I had to snag it. It will take me a while to get to using it because I have a few face washes next in line but I am so looking forward to when I can break it out!

I have never purchased anything from TJMaxx’s website before and I gotta tell you guys – I was so impressed with their shipping. The box was filled with bubble wrap and you could really tell that everything was handled with care. My jacket came hung in a clear, plastic bag which I thought was a nice touch. Aside from a few bumps and bruises, the shoe boxes looked fresh and crisp.

And, most importantly, the handling of my cleanser was superb. The face wash was packed in an individual zip lock bag and there was tape around the bottle to prevent it from opening on accident. I have purchased a lot of skin care online in my day and I have never seen any company do that before with their shipping. I thought that it was amazing and I really appreciated the fact that the people handling shipping seemed to care about the products arriving to you in excellent condition. A++!!

My first online shopping experience with TJMaxx was phenomenal and I would obviously do it again in a heartbeat. However, nothing beats my in store TJs trips with my mom! But, it is reassuring to know that the store boasts an awesome website for when my mom and I might not be able to make it to the store or if we end a shopping trip empty handed…or for when I need a dose of something pretty or a splurging sesh ASAP! 🙂

My TJMaxx Graduation Shopping Spree was pure perfection and I was so happy to be able to treat myself for such an exciting occasion! What is your favorite site for online shopping? What store has the best holiday sales right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Forgotten November Empty

Standard
Forgotten November Empty

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! So after going through my finished products to recycle after yesterday’s November Finishes post, I realized that I had forgotten one of my empties! I am actually really surprised that I did because I was so excited to finally be done with the product after working on it for about a year and a half. What beauty product lasts that long, you may ask? YOU’RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT! Take a look and let’s discuss:

image

Would I Use Again?

  • Dickinson’s witch hazel: YES!!

Why/Why Not?

Witch hazel: As I mentioned above, I have been working on this bottle of witch hazel for a long time. This stuff has been my go to for keeping my five nose piercings clean for years. With two piercings on each nostril and my septum done, it is easy to see why infections might be common so every morning I give my little nosie a good cleaning with the product. Thanks to my witch hazel regimen, I rarely get unsightly bumps or redness around my piercings and it has also helped eliminate some of the blackheads that gather on my nostrils, too!

I did not use the Dickinson’s brand prior to finishing this bottle but I have been using witch hazel on my piercings for the better part of three years and would never use anything different. If you are looking for a cheap and effective way to keep your favorite piercings looking and feeling clean than I cannot recommend starting a witch hazel regimen enough!

Special sorry shout out to Dickinson’s for forgetting about you in yesterday’s post but no hard feelings because I already cracked open a new bottle last week! 🙂

So there you have it, my Forgotten November Empty! What do you use to keep your piercings clean? Is anyone planning on getting a new body mod soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

November Finishes

Standard
November Finishes

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday! The month of November has been a really busy one but it has brought me beaucoup bottles of finished beauty products to discuss with you. I am actually so happy about all of these empties because they were the ones that were legitimately taking forever to finish. Thanks to these completed products seen below I can now break out goodies that I have been waiting an eternity to use, like my cocoa butter from The Body Shop and my pink grapefruit St. Ives cleanser. Happy day! So now, without further ado, take a look at my November Finishes and let’s discuss:

empty.jpeg

Would I Use Again?

  • Pure & Basic Creme Brulee lotion: YES!
  • Bath & Body Works Mango Mandarin spray: YES
  • St. Ives Indulgent Coconut Milk body wash: YES
  • St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub & Mask: YES
  • Jergens BB Hand cream: YES
  • The Body Shop Aloe night cream: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin E moisturizer: YES

Why/Why Not?

Pure & Basic lotion: This Creme Brulee scented lotion smells freaking AMAZING! It literally smells like you are rubbing yourself down with vanilla cake batter and I can definitely get down with that. I got this huge bottle of Pure & Basic lotion at TJMaxx for a whole six dollars and it has lasted me well over three months. This lotion absorbs quickly but is highly moisturizing and I would totally recommend and use it again.

My mom actually taught me a fun trick after I was done with the bottle of Pure & Basic this week and was lamenting over the extra product that gets stuck in the bottle. She told me that when this happens, she puts some water in the bottle and then shakes it up to use as a body milk in the shower the next day. So clever!

B&BW spray: Normally I’m a Country Apple girl when it comes to my Bath & Body Works perfume sprays but I love the Mango Mandarin! I got myself six bottles during their throwback sale in the summer at three dollars a bottle and I am so pleased with that purchase! My favorite thing to do is to layer this spray with my Satsuma spray from TBS for a longer lasting fragrance. It took me about six months to finish this perfume.

St. Ives body wash: The Indulgent Coconut Milk body wash by St. Ives is so delicious. I really enjoy their products and this is probably my favorite body wash by them. It smells completely delectable – even better than The Body Shop’s coconut fragrance, which is really saying something! It also lathers like a dream which provides you with a shower or bubble bath that is purely pampering and relaxing. It took me about three months to finish this product.

St. Ives scrub: Like I just said, I really really like St. Ives products so of course I loved my oatmeal scrub! This product is a really gentle exfoliater so it won’t dry out your skin which is great during the chilly winter months. It smells great and it left my skin looking perfectly peaches and cream afterwards. My scrub lasted me about a month and a half and now I am on to using their pink grapefruit scrub which I am sure will be discussed soon! Spoiler Alert! It smells AMAZING.

Jergens hand cream: I blogged about this wonder cream before so for the full article please check out the link provided! If not, I will say that this is hands down the best hand cream that I have ever used. As a hardcore germophobe and hand washer, it is not hard for my hands to become extremely red and raw within a few days. This cream has provided me with relief as well as a formula that is non greasy and fast absorbing so that I can use it again and again with no lingering residue. I have used this product off and on since February and cannot recommend it enough.

TBS night cream: I really liked the Aloe night cream! I got it for free with an online purchase a few months ago and it made my skin feel so lush before bedtime. I had never used anything from the Aloe line before and I would use it again but I still prefer Vitamin E over it. What I did like was that the cream was a heavier texture but it still absorbed well which is exactly what I look for in a night cream. It took me about a month and a half to finish this product.

TBS moisturizer: I have been an avid lover of The Body Shop’s Vitamin E line for quite some time now. I think that this moisturizer is simply the best and am so happy that I have another jar of it in back stock so that I can continue using it daily. If you are looking for a moisturizer that is light, nourishing, and sits well under makeup than look no further. The Vitamin E moisturizer will leave your skin looking and feeling like a million bucks. It took me about a month and a half to finish this product.

I am SO happy with all of my empties this month, 1) because they were all effective and fabulous and 2) I am looking forward to using more new products! Most of my finishes from this month have been with me for a long time now so I am happy to retire these bottles and move onto some new bath and body and skin care goodies in December!

So there you have it, my November Finishes! What beauty products have you used up this month? What beauty product can you not live without during the winter? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Health Benefits Of Hydration That Are Too Good To Ignore

Standard
The Health Benefits Of Hydration That Are Too Good To Ignore

We all know that hydration is important but few of us realize how much proper hydration can do for us. Many of the aches and pains that we feel could be caused by a lack of proper hydration. The recommended amount of water per person per day is 3 liters. In other words, 13 cups. If you’re not convinced that this applies to you, take a look at how your life could change with proper hydration.

Increases Energy: Good hydration increases your energy levels by allowing you to get proper rest. Water is magical! It’s not the water itself that will give you energy but the hydration. Hydration increases your body’s productivity. It allows you to convert food into energy more efficiently. Keeping hydrated is also a way to avoid weight gain. If you’re burning the calories you ingest, they won’t stay on your hips!

Speaking of energy, it is so important to keep well hydrated if you live an active lifestyle and work out frequently. There is nothing more refreshing than water after strenuous exercise! You might even want to buy hydration supplements to nourish your body more after a work out.

h21.png

 Jumping Jack Flash

Keeps Kidneys and Bladder Healthy: Being hydrated will also be a huge help to your bladder and kidneys. A lot of bad bacteria gathers here. Drinking plenty will ensure that they are flushed through at all times. Not drinking enough means the bacteria will stay and fester, which can cause a lot of problems. Checking the color of the water you pass is a good way to tell whether everything is functioning. If the color is dark yellow, you can be sure you aren’t drinking enough. It’s also worth mentioning here that the purer your water, the better it is. Hard water comes with its own health risks, so it’s well worth looking around for the best water softener you can find.

he3.png

 Bottoms up!

Reduces Acne and Aging: Proper hydration will work wonders for your skin. By drinking plenty, you can reduce acne and dry skin. You can also slow down the aging process! Skin wrinkles when it’s dry and dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water will ensure that your skin stays firmer for longer. Dehydration is a huge cause of acne, too. The skin is unable to clear any toxins when not given proper hydration. Drinking more will leave your skin looking bright and glowing. It will also ensure that you stay wrinkle free!

Reduces High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: We’ll end this list of magical benefits with the fact that hydration reduces blood pressure and cholesterol. That’s right; hydration is a medical miracle! Your blood predominantly consists of water. Proper hydration allows it to stay thin and so will lower your high blood pressure. High cholesterol can happen when cells aren’t hydrated enough to function. The body releases more cholesterol to allow them to continue working. This creates a cholesterol overload. Hydration allows the cells to function without this added cholesterol.

If this list hasn’t convinced you of the benefits of hydration, why not try it out yourself? Try keeping yourself hydrated for a week and see if you spot any differences. Once you’ve felt what hydration can do, it’s unlikely you’ll go back!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Banish Dry Winter Skin

Standard
Banish Dry Winter Skin

Every season presents challenges when it comes to keeping our skin healthy, but winter has to be the worst. Cold weather and winds topped off with drying central heating can lead to painful chapped lips and dry, uncomfortable skin. Thankfully there are some things we can do to protect against this and keep our skin healthy and in good condition throughout the colder months. Here’s how to go about it.

Physically Protect Your Skin: No one wants to stand outside in horrible weather but when you have no choice try to physically protect your skin. This means wearing gloves to stop hands from becoming sore and dry. Wear a scarf and pull this up over your lower face and lips. Shield yourself from the wind whenever it’s possible. This could mean standing with your back to the wind while you wait for the bus or finding shelter in a coffee shop or bookstore when the rain or snow begins to come down heavily.

Switch Up Your Skincare Routine: Fall and winter require heavier, richer products that are intensely hydrating. These provide much-needed nourishment to stripped skin and also help to protect it. Your day cream can be a little lighter as it still needs to sit well under makeup but your night cream should be rich and buttery. Choose a product that states that it’s highly nourishing and hydrating. Another essential product in anyone’s skincare routine but particularly in winter should be a good eye cream. This will keep the delicate eye area hydrated and also protect from damage and premature aging. There are more skin care tips on sites like Thank Your Beauty.

Pamper Your Skin: Along with your regular skincare routine, once or twice a week you should really pamper your skin, too. Using oils as a pampering treat is an excellent way to improve dry winter skin. These will deliver on moisture but will not leave the skin feeling greasy or clog up your pores. You could also treat your skin to face masks. Different masks are targeted to different skin concerns so do your research to find out what will work best for you. You could use a lip scrub to gently remove any loose and flaky skin and then follow up with a high-quality lip protector. Our lips lose more moisture than everywhere else on the face which is why they are the first to become dry and sore.

Use SPF: The sun’s rays aren’t just damaging in the summer. They can harm skin all year round and premature aging is just one of the adverse effects. You can prevent this by using an SPF all year round. Since this can be a tricky step to remember (especially when there is no sunshine in sight and everywhere is gray and drizzly!) choose products with SPF included. It could be in your day cream or your foundation. Either way, you kill two birds with one stone and can be safe in the knowledge that you are doing what you can to protect your skin.

What do you do to protect your skin in the winter? What are your favorite moisturizing beauty products? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pexels

Want To Look Gorgeous For Your Christmas Party? Start Preparing Today!

Standard
Want To Look Gorgeous For Your Christmas Party? Start Preparing Today!

With the holiday season right around the corner, it is important to look your best. Work parties, family get togethers, bumping into everyone and their brother at the store – it is a time when it might seem like all eyes are on you. It may only be the end of October, but these tips will help you prep for looking your best this holiday season and all year round. Take a look.

Want To Look Gorgeous For Your Christmas Party? Start Preparing Today!

Work Christmas parties are often the highlight of the year and an occasion many people look forward to. It’s a chance for you and your work colleagues to let your hair down and enjoy yourselves after a stressful year. It’s also the perfect excuse to get dressed up and look your absolute best. While you understandably want to have fun, Christmas parties can help your career. If you stand out, network with others and impress your boss, you may have a promotion in your sights. So to give you the confidence to do this effectively, you need to feel good about your appearance.

Even though it might seem premature, there are things that you can do now to help you look gorgeous in time for your work party. Take a look at these tips to help you get prepared well in advance.

Get Style Inspiration: One of the benefits of getting ready for your Christmas party now is that you have plenty of time to find the perfect outfit. But before you hit the shops, you need to get some holiday style inspiration. To help you get started, talk to your boss and colleagues about the type of affair that the party will be. This will ensure that you choose an outfit that makes a statement while also being suitable for the activity. For instance, if you are going out for drinks at a local bar, a ball gown might not be appropriate.

So whether it’s a casual meal or a big holiday ball, you can start getting inspired by potential outfit ideas now. You can go on http://www.pinterest.com/ and look at fashion magazines and blogs. Social media is another resource you can use. You can also try on outfits at your favorite stores and boutiques to see how they look and make you feel. This can give you a clear idea of what suits you and what doesn’t. Don’t forget to look at possible accessories and shoes to accompany your outfit too!

Getting inspired before you start shopping can be extremely beneficial. It helps you find possible outfits that will suit your body type and colors that suit your skin tone. Knowing what kind of outfit you want to buy can simplify your shopping process and make it less stressful. You can also start planning how you want your hair and makeup to look. Don’t forget accessories too! Any holiday look isn’t complete without a touch of bling from paradigm jewelry. All of this information can make choosing a fabulous outfit for your Christmas party as easy as possible.

Whiten Your Teeth: A bright, white smile can make you seem more friendly and approachable to others. This is ideal if you plan to network and introduce yourself to others at your Christmas party. It can also make you feel more confident about your appearance which can make you feel amazing. So if you want to enhance your smile in time for your Christmas party, you need to whitening your teeth now. It can take weeks and multiple whitening sessions to get the results you want. This is why it’s always best to do this sooner rather than waiting till later.

The majority of dental surgeries now offer teeth whitening services to their patients. So contact your dentist to make an appointment. Alternatively, you can whiten your teeth by yourself at home. There are a number of kits you can buy that use either strips or mouth guards. These kits are easy to use and can give you excellent results but some are better than others. See http://TeethWhiteningAtHomeTips.com/ to find out which whitening strips are the most effective. It will be hard for you to stop smiling throughout the party when your teeth look so clean and bright.

xmas1.jpg

Smile!

Make an Appointment at Your Salon: As soon as the countdown to Christmas starts, hair and beauty salons will be overwhelmed with appointments. Remember that thousands of other people will be attending Christmas parties and want to look their best, too. To ensure that your hair looks beautiful for your party, you need to book an appointment at your salon now. This will ensure that you can have a consultation with your hairdresser beforehand to try out different hair styling ideas. You can also have your hair dyed, cut, and blow dried so it looks as fresh as possible for your party.

If you are unable to get an appointment for a consultation or cut at your hair salon, don’t panic. You can hire a mobile hairdresser to visit you at your home instead. But again make sure you make an appointment quickly as they too will get booked up.

xmas2.jpg

Pixabay Image

Start a New Skin Care Regime: When you are self-conscious of your skin, it can stop you from being confident and carefree. This is not how you want to feel when you celebrate the holidays. Instead of letting this continue, start a new skin care regime instead. This can help you get fresh and clear skin that makes you feel unstoppable. Makeup application can also be improved with clearer skin. It will go on more smoothly and stay in place longer. You also won’t have to wear as much because you won’t have blemishes or pimples to cover up.

It’s advantageous to start this regime as soon as you can to give your skin time to heal and adjust. Otherwise, you may not get the results you desire. There are countless products you can try to get glowing skin. But it’s vital that you create a regime with products that suit your skin type for the best results. Visit http://www.webmd.com/beauty/ or talk to beauty specialists to discover what your skin type is.

As part of your new regime, also get into the habit of cleaning your makeup brushes each week. Dirt, sweat, and old makeup can linger on your brushes and clog your pores. So using clean and hygienic brushes can benefit your skin significantly.

xmas3.jpg

 Pixabay Image

Even though your Christmas party might be not be happening just yet, these preparations will ensure that you look gorgeous no matter what. The more you do in advance, the less stressful the getting ready process will be. So rather than leaving it till the last minute, start preparing for your Christmas party today. You won’t regret it!

What is your perfect holiday party look? What is your winter skin care regime? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Pixabay

October Finishes

Standard
October Finishes

Hellooo everyone and happy Thursday! I cannot believe that October is almost over already! It really seemed to fly by and I am not okay with it. The weather in Ohio has also been less than pleasant this October with temperatures raising from boiling hot to bitter cold with none of that perfect fall in between to spare. One good thing about October, though, is that some fab beauty products were used up and enjoyed so take a look at my empties and let’s discuss:

finish2.jpeg

Would I Use It Again?

  • The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter: YES
  • The Body Shop Vitamin E Illuminating Moisture Cream: YES!!!!!
  • The Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream: YES

Why/Why Not?

Body Butter: I got my jumbo sized strawberry body butter from TJMaxx for a whopping ten dollars and it lasted me over a month. I do love the strawberry scent but sometimes it is just too sweet for my liking. Despite being wishy washy about the fragrance, there is no denying that any scent of body butter is going to feel amazing on your skin! My favorite thing to do is take a nice, long bubble bath, shave, and then literally douse my body with TBS butter. There is nothing better and your skin is going to thank you!

Vitamin E: I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this cream. It is the most amazing product that I have used in quite some time. This moisturizer literally leaves natural highlights on your skin and has you completely glowing for the entire day. My favorite thing about this cream is that if you put it on your lips, it will leave them tinted with the most gorgeous shade of bio-luminescent violet. It took me about a month and a half to finish this cream and I cannot wait to get my hands on more soon.

Eye Cream: I have been using my Nutriganics eye cream since I was nineteen or so and I have yet to see any signs of wrinkling near my peepers. The cream goes on so smoothly and absorbs quickly. What I love about my Nutriganics is how awake it makes my eyes look even if I am running on about four hours of sleep. But the best part about this eye cream is how long lasting it is. It took me about five months to finish it!

I feel so pampered this month because all of my finished products were from The Body Shop! I have yet to use a TBS product that I didn’t completely love so I would say that it was a pretty good month of empties! I think November will be even better considering I broke out my all time favorite – TBS cocoa butter after completing my jar of strawberry. I CAN’T WAIT! 😀

So there you have it, my October Finishes! What is your favorite product from The Body Shop? What products do you need to restock soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Destiny Boutique Charcoal Face Bar

Standard
Destiny Boutique Charcoal Face Bar

Helloooo everyone! I have been fond of charcoal based skin care products ever since I used one of Biore’s charcoal cleansers. We all have our woes about our skin and mine is having the literal worst blackheads around my five nose piercings. With the piercings and along with the fact that I am constantly touching my nose and readjusting them, it can be easy to see how pesky blackheads have made their home base on my nostrils. BUT I have been using a new beauty bar that I have a lot of faith in that I just have to tell you guys about. Check out my new bar from Destiny Boutique and then let’s discuss:

soapAs much as I love Biore products, I do think that they are a bit pricey and I do not always have a coupon handy to cut back the cost. Therefore, I am always on the lookout for an effective but inexpensive charcoal product and I believe to have found it in this beauty bar. I have become a big fan of using bar soap for my face with complexion bars and my body with soap from Appalachian Naturals. I think that they are so economical and long lasting that you just can’t go wrong with them. That’s why I was SO happy to have found this bar laying around in the beauty aisle of TJMaxx for a whole six bucks. Score!

As soon as I saw the bar, I just had to try it and this past week of using it has left me very pleased with my purchase. First of all, let’s talk about the size of this thing! I was so surprised to see how big it was when I took it out of the package. My last complexion bar lasted me about four months and was about half of this size so I am sure that I will have this bar for close to a year! Honestly, with this size I would have been more than okay spending more than six dollars on it so I really do think this was a steal.

Second of all, this bar is fantastically effective. Within the week, I have noticed a HUGE decrease in my blackhead count on both of my nostrils and they really seem to be staying away as opposed to working their way back. My skin also looks bright and healthy and feels smooth as can be. Not only is it proving to be a powerful blackhead fighter but its scent is so invigorating! This bar smells like peppermint which is one of my favorite skin/body care scents. It smells so good and fresh and I instantly feel more awake as soon as it hits my nostrils. This extra scent boost pick me up is perfect for my five thirty mornings to get to class on time!

I am looking forward to many more uses with my new Destiny Boutique Charcoal Face Bar. So far it has been working some skin care magic and I cannot recommend it enough! What is your must have skin care product? What are some of your skin care woes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Vacation Purchases

Standard
Vacation Purchases

Hello everyone and happy Tuesday! I have regrettably been home from the beautiful Asheville, North Carolina for about a week now but with some fab purchases made during my vaca, it makes transporting my mind back to the fun I had just a little bit easier. I stocked up on one of my favorite beauty products as well as added some super cute new accessories to the mix so take a look and let’s discuss:

The Haul:

  • Appalachian Naturals Complexion Bar
  • Two fringe bandanas from Francesca’s

Beauty Bar: When I was in Asheville in June, my mom and I must have spent at least an hour in Appalachian Naturals which boasts a wide assortment of handmade beauty products. We still have a ton of body bars left but I was in need of another one of their complexion bars. I began using my first bar in June and I am still not done with it yet, which just shows you how long lasting their products are. This beauty bar is one of the best things that has ever happened to my skin and leaves it feeling (and looking!) like a million bucks. I can’t recommend the products of Appalachian Naturals enough and urge all of you to check out all of their amazing goodies on their website!

Bandanas: One of my favorite accessories are bandanas. I love wearing them with flannels, jackets, T’s, dresses, – basically any clothing item that you can imagine. I think that they are so fun and edgy and they add just the perfect amount of grungy cool to any look. My family went shopping at the outlet malls while in NC both times and a Francesca’s had opened shortly after we left in June. Shopping in the relatively new store was a lot of fun and when both my mom and I saw my two new bandanas, we instantly knew that they were mine.

Of course, the black one was a must for me and I’m actually wearing it right now with a black sweater and a camouflage trench coat from Urban Outfitters. But, at buy one get one half off, I figured I might as well indulge in other style as well. I don’t own a white bandana because I never really cared to but I really like my new one! What made me love it so much is that not only does it have cloth fringe but it also has metal chains hanging from it, too. I had never seen anything like these new additions to my wardrobe and I am having such fun incorporating them into my OOTDs. My new bandanas instantly transform any outfit and I am so pleased with my Francesca’s purchases.

I didn’t return from my vaca with a huge haul of goodies but I could not be happier with the items that I took home. They are the perfect little mementos from my trip and I look forward to getting great use out of all three items.

So there you have it, my Vacation Purchases! What has been your most recent treat yoself item? What is your favorite local store to shop at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah