Tag Archives: vitamin c

Sep19

TJMaxx Beauty Haul

Posted on by
Standard
TJMaxx Beauty Haul

Hello everyone and happy Hump Day! I was so happy on Saturday, because my mom and I finally got to go to TJMaxx together after about TWO MONTHS of not going. With a scary long stay in the hospital last month and just getting back on her feet, sweet JANE was definitely not able to hit the shops like the good old days. But, that changed this Saturday and we had a wonderful little jaunt to our favorite store. I got a fabulous new fall and winter staple, which you’ll see tomorrow, and some new beauty finds. Take a look and let’s discuss:

beautyy

The Haul:

  • Unknown brand Radiance Crystal Cleansing Foam: $4
  • Vital C Vitamin C Brightening Serum: $8
  • Alpine Silk Rosehip Day Cream: $7

Grand Total: $19

Whenever I am in need of new skin care products, I almost exclusively purchase from TJMaxx. This is so crazy to me, because less than a year ago, I was still ordering skin care from The Body Shop and spending a buttload on some of the same products that I can buy at TJs. Without a sale, the prices at TBS are even more than the nineteen bucks that I paid for three products, and that’s just shameful to me. Of course, I’ll utilize a good TBS sale every now and then, but TJMaxx is truly where it’s at for skin care and beauty products… and also everything else! 😀

One of the items that I’ve been buying for the better part of a year is the Vital C serum. I pay eight dollars for a bottle that lasts me two and a half months. Meanwhile, at TBS, their Vitamin C Skin Boost that I used to use costed thirty dollars a bottle! I finished up my Vital C on Sunday, so I was so happy that they had it in stock at TJs, because I don’t know what I would do without it. A little radiance goes a long way, and my skin care routine would be nothing without some Vitamin C.

I also purchased a new moisturizer from New Zealand, which will be nice to try out. Because I have a very normal skin type, I can get away with experimenting with new products. I have heard wonderful things about skin care with rosehip in it in the past, so I’m looking forward to giving it a go once I finish the moisturizer that I’m using now.

And, finally, for funsies I tried out a Korean cleanser, because I’ll be needing a new one soon. The TJMaxx that I was at had an entire section of Korean skin care and I decided to change things up by going with the Radiance Crystal Cleansing Foam. Like I said, a little radiance goes a long way, so we’ll see how it works out!

I am really happy with the amount of products that I got for just under twenty dollars and am confident that I couldn’t get that value elsewhere. TJMaxx always does me right, and it was awesome to have a long awaited shopping trip with my mom! ❤

Who is a fan of Korean beauty products? What is one of your skin 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

Posted on by
Standard
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

Jan28

Mini Skin Care Haul

Posted on by
Standard
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:

vitaminc

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

Posted on by
Standard
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:

20188

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

Jan12

My Skin Care Routine

Posted on by
Standard
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

nc3

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

routine1

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

wh.jpeg

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

routine

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

Mar28

March 2017 Finishes

Posted on by
Standard
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:

march.jpeg

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

Jul4

Monday Update: June Finishes Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Monday Update: June Finishes Edition

Hello everyone and happy Monday! With July now upon us, it’s time to talk about the beauty product empties that I had for the month of June! I was able to complete some products that I liked a lot and others that kind of sucked which balanced out to a great month for beauty product finishes. Take a look at my June Finishes:

finish.jpg

Would I Use It Again?

Why/Why Not?

Suave Body Wash: I absolutely love the scent of this shower gel. It’s floral-y and bright without being too overpowering and it lathers so well. It is the perfect fragrance to wake up to in the morning and I think it’s an overall excellent value. It took me about a month and a half to finish it.

Tone Body Wash: I would use this body wash again solely for the fact that it was only two dollars at my local discount store. The scent was very citrus-y which I liked but it didn’t lather anywhere near as well as the Suave body wash, for example. It took me about a month and a half to finish it.

Olay Cleanser: I would absolutely one hundred and fifty percent use this amazing cleanser again! Olay’s Bead Me Up cleanser has been hands down one of the best beauty products that I’ve used in months. You can read about it further by clicking the link that takes you to my review about it but just know that I enjoyed every single day of using it. It took me over four months to finish it, too – talk about a great value!

TBS Skin Boost: This product is one of my tried and true old faithfuls so of course I would use it again! Now if only the price for it would dwindle down some! It took me about three months to finish.

Nourish Organic Cleanser: I would never ever EVER use this cleanser again. You can read more about it in my review which I provided the link to but this was easily the worst beauty product that I have ever used. You could not pay me to ever use it again. It took me about two and a half months to finish this cleanser and every day that I used it was absolutely miserable.

VS Lotion: I liked the Deep Berry scent of this Victoria’s Secret lotion a lot, however, there was nothing special about the product and I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it again. I finished this lotion in four uses.

Overall, June was a good month for finishes. I was left with only two products that I wouldn’t use again so I would definitely call that a success! I am also so happy that June was the month that I could finally finish the Nourish Organic cleanser. Yuck. -_-

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: June Finishes Edition! What beauty products did you have empties for this past month? What skin or body care products are you using now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr2

Beauty Bloggers: HELP! Again.

Posted on by
Standard
Beauty Bloggers: HELP! Again.

Howdy everyone and happy weekend! Once again, I am calling upon all of the fabulous Beauty Bloggers of WordPress for some HELP! I’ve been using The Body Shop’s Vitamin C Skin Boost for as long as I can remember. Although I’ve always found their price of twenty-seven dollars per bottle a little steep, I still shell out the cash when there’s a good sale. However, the price for the Boost is now almost thirty dollars and that doesn’t mesh well with my lifestyle of ballin on a budget.

I’ve been wanting to wean myself off of TBS products for some time now because I truly feel like I can find similar products for a better price elsewhere. Now that one of my favorite items in my daily beauty routine has hiked up in price, I feel like there’s no better time to start browsing the market for a new serum style product. Does anyone who’s familiar with TBS’s Vitamin C Skin Boost have any suggestions on a similar item? I have normal skin and am willing to try anything within reason. Thank you so much! -Sarah

tbs2.jpg

^^^ Old faithful.

May12

Lil Red’s Fresh Face Facial

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Fresh Face Facial

Hello, hello everyone! So as you can see by my featured image photo, I’m going nude, au natural, bare faced – in other words makeup free to discuss my without fail facial! I worked as the assistant manager at The Body Shop for over half a year, and it taught me a lot about skin care and products. Now that my older sister is working there as my prodigy, it’s so fun to instill in her some Body Shop knowledge – and still get some awesome discounts on their products! Holla! Thanks to my vast knowledge on skin care, skin types, and everything in between, I’ve been known to give a mean facial at home to my sister and my mom. This past weekend I decided to treat myself (and my sissy!) to one of my fabulous facials to freshen up my skin and go bare faced for the world. If there’s one thing that I get complimented on a lot, it’s my creamy complexion. It’s very important to me to maintain my healthy pale glow, so constant skin care is a must. Here’s another pic of me going au natural, and then we’ll discuss some facial fun with a plethora of Body Shop products!

nomakeup1

^^^ My face is bare and I don’t care….too much anyways 😉 So I lined up all of my Body Shop products in the order that I use them for a Lil Red’s Fresh Face Facial, take a look and then I’ll discuss each item! Please don’t mind my dirty bath tub!

tbs

Step 1) Dampen skin with warm water and apply the Warming Mineral Clay Mask and let it sit for five minutes. I absolutely adore this product. The mask is made with ginger and a bunch of other good stuff and begins to warm as soon as it touches the skin. The warming sensation from the clay literally attacks your pores for a deep cleanse. After five minutes of having the mask on, almost all of the blackheads that live around my nostril piercings disappeared. Needless to say, I was a very happy camper about that! After your mask is done sitting, wet a cloth with warm water and gently wipe off your skin.

Step 2) It’s time to wash your face! You can use whatever cleanser you please, but I recommend that it’s a cream base rather than a gel to avoid drying out your skin. I used the Pomegranate Softening Facial Wash to give my skin a nice, gentle cleansing after my pores were stripped from the mask. Wash your face well so you remove any remaining clay and grime, and don’t pat yourself dry quite yet!

Step 3) This step will be different for everyone depending on their skin type. If you have “normal” skin, like myself you should be fine with using a facial scrub like the Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub straight from the container. However, scrubs can be a bit harsh on acne prone skin, so if you do have acne I recommend mixing up the scrub with the Vitamin E Hydrating Toner just like how you would mix it with water before using on the skin. Using a moisturizing toner mixed with a somewhat harsh scrub should eliminate any unpleasant burning or stinging. If you have normal skin, apply the toner after you’re done with your scrub. Tea Tree products are specifically used for acne, but even if you don’t suffer from it, the scrub will leave your skin feeling exhilarated and your pores will be squeaky clean just as the name of the product says!

Step 4)  Apply a treatment. Now is a good time to apply topical acne cream if you use it. If not, I like to put on an eye cream as my treatment, like the Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream. The skin around the eyes is so sensitive and can dry out very easily, so it’s so important to keep the windows to your soul hydrated! There’s plenty of great eye creams at The Body Shop to choose from – I’m also particularly fond of the eye cream in the Vitamin E line as well!

Step 5) Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!!! Like the eye creams, The Body Shop has an abundance of excellent moisturizers to choose from. During my most recent facial I used their new Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturizer but any kind will do! Each line from Aloe to Vitamin E to Pomegranate has their own moisturizer – so it’s up to you to pick the best one for your skin type. I’m all about my skin having a radiant glow to it, so I’m simply thrilled that the Vitamin C line finally has a moisturizer!

Step 6) This step is optional, but I’m including it because it’s part of my skin care regime. To end a facial or my daily skin care routine I always apply the Vitamin C Skin Boost to tie everything together. This fantastic product gives an instant glow to your skin and leaves a lovely matte finish, which is the perfect way to complete a fresh face facial. Having smooth, matte skin is also a bonus if you plan on applying makeup afterwards, but I don’t recommend it – let your skin breathe!!

Next time you or your girlfriends need a night of pampering, make sure to follow my guide for the Lil Red’s Fresh Face Facial! All of the products that I mentioned above can be purchased in stores or online at http://www.thebodyshop.com. Have a fabulous night and please make sure to check out my most recent article “Monday Update: Online Shopping, Lil Red Style” for some amazing pieces up for grabs! What’s your favorite product from The Body Shop? Do you have any questions about the products or steps? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah