I don't share beauty and skincare too often on here because when I become obsessed with something I stick with it for awhile... but I truly love trying out new products more than anything! I have a bin filled with samples that I test out on the daily because I love seeing if something will work better for my skin! The Sephora Spring Sale is one of my favorite events because it's a chance to get some new things at a discounted rate and stock up on favorites. If you know you're going to need new concealer at some point you might as well get it when there's a discount, right? That's my thought process at least! Plus, this time around there's free shipping! YAY! I'm sharing all of the details on the sale here & I'm listing out what's in my cart, my makeup faves, my skincare faves, and my haircare faves! So many favorites!! Pretty much all of my makeup is available via Sephora. I don't wear too much and I'm certainly not a pro but I love that all of these are quality products that have lasted awhile! This is a weird time we're living in so by no means do you need any of this! However, it's important that we're taking care of ourselves during this season of high anxiety and stress. I've found that a great skincare routine can help maintain any flare ups and it allows some "me time" every morning and night. Indulging your hair with no heat right now has also been a big plus - sometimes time off is the best antidote for split ends and frizzy roots!
Without further ado... my favorites! Click any image that you want to shop!
Are y'all buying new things or stocking up on favorites?? I'm only a VIB so I can't shop until Tuesday but my cart is locked and loaded :)
With the weather changing, my skin always craves new products and a change up as well. My skin is extra dry in the winter but any product that is too oily seems to slide right off and doesn't get absorbed. Does that happen to anyone else? My solution is to clean really deep by exfoliating with a spin brush and then layering on multiple light moisturizers. I'm sharing 5 new products that I've been loving and am going to keep using through the cold weather months! PS I'm wearing only these products plus a quick swipe of mascara in the photos - it's kind of a miracle to me that my skin looks and feels this great in freezing January.
Tula isn't new to me but I haven't tried anything new from them in over a year! They use probiotics in their products because it helps to balance the skin naturally and lock in moisture while reducing the appearance of inflammation - amazing right? I originally ventured to their site to try another product (it's listed below) and stumbled across this one. I use a toner during the summer and needed a new one for the winter that was going to simply do more... this Pro-Glycolic 10% PH Resurfacing Gel gently exfoliates the skin while leaving it smooth and moisturized. Like I said - I need exfoliating power for the cold! The directions say to put a drop on a cotton swab and rub all over your face but I use my fingers if I don't have one on hand. I've noticed less peeling on my face due to wind and dry air!
So I actually got this product last summer but never ended up using it (whoops). I've been a huge fan of M-61 for years and pretty much love every product they sell ha! One thing that people forget is to wear sunscreen in the winter! Even though you aren't sitting out in the sun it's still important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. This Hydraboost Moisturizer with SPF30 seriously locks in the hydration and it feels so light under my makeup. I'll have to test it out in the summer to see if it holds up under the hot sun too.
I shared this lotion on IG stories a couple of weeks ago and y'all had a looot of questions about it. I have been using it every morning and night and I swear I think my wrinkles have faded (this could easily be in my head haha). It Cosmetics is probably my #1 go-to beauty company - everything is created with plastic surgeons and their products are packed with anti-aging products! I've always been taught that you should moisturize your entire "french face" aka your face, neck, collar bone, and chest. This Confidence in a Neck Cream focuses on that bottom half that people so commonly forget. It works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and keep that thin skin moisturized. It's kind of like a shot of collagen for your neck and chest! It smells incredible (almost citrus-like) and it's a thick consistency so it's easy to feel the moisture right away.
I love love LOVE this product from Tula!! I ventured to their website solely to purchase it because I saw other people testing it out and loving it. Before trying out the Glow & Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm I used two different products to get the same effect that this ONE does: cooling, brightening, moisturizing, and depuffing. This clever little stick does amazing things. I swipe it around my eyes right after moisturizing and then go to make my morning tea while it soaks in. Even though it's blue it doesn't leave a blue residue on your skin - in fact, you can even apply it over your makeup for an extra pick me up. This is going to be in my makeup bag for a very long time!
You can tell that I've used this product to death... in fact, this product technically isn't new because I've been using it since last summer but it's SO powerful that I needed to share it. Just a little bit on a puffy undereye and POOF you look like you've gotten 10 hours of sleep. I'm serious! It tightens the skin up to give you a fresh faced look. Be careful with the amount you use because too much and it will begin to almost peel off when you apply concealer over it. Now I use it before the Tula undereye stick bc that has more moisture. I only use the Dr. Brandt Needles No More No More Baggage Eye De-Puffing Gel if I haven't gotten a good nights sleep or was crying the night before (it happens). Give it some time to absorb before applying anything on top of it!
Those are the products I've been using every morning and loving the results! Have you tried any of them? Is there anything else that y'all can't live without that I should try? Answering some of your questions from IG:
Q: Oils or serums? Scared to try them but I have super dry skin so feel like it would help! A: I use serums mainly! I have one face oil that I love but it's primarily for night time because I do find that oils can be a lot on my skin (it's the Caudalie Vine[activ] Overnight Detox Oil). I worry that they clog my pores a bit - but that can be solved with using a spin face brush! My favorite serum is the Sunday Riley Brightening Serum! It makes my skin glow and I love that it smells like oranges. Q: What is the order you put them on? A: I went to a beauty event at a dermatologist office and this is what they told me (I've had this written down in my phone for years!) - eye, oil, serum, moisturizer, and then sunscreen! You want to add sunscreen last (if it's not in your moisturizer) because layering anything on top of it could break down the components that protect you from the sun. Q: Do you wait until it fully absorbs to put foundation on? A: I don't wear foundation so if I'm thinking about concealer then, YES! Especially with the two under eye products I listed above. Allow your products to soak in before anything so they can work! Q: Skincare for warmer weather? A: I'll have to do a post about this in the summer... but I always wear sunscreen! I also focus on moisturizing my under eyes really well. Even though your skin is sweaty that takes a lot of moisture out - I plan on using this gel moisturizer for the summer time :) Q: Face wash and serums if you use them A: I love this Fresh Soy Face Wash and my travel face wash is Ole Henriksen! My favorite serum is the Sunday Riley Brightening Serum. Q: Do you have any products you recommend for skin redness from acne? A: I am not very acne prone (any spots I get I treat with a salicylic acid cream) but for redness I highly recommend this Bye Bye Redness Skin Relief Treatment Moisturizer. My skin gets very red in the wind so it helps me a ton!
With a new apartment came a lot of change... a change that wasn't welcome was how my skin reacted to the new routine, stress, and change of pace. My old skincare products just weren't cutting it anymore. I had uneven skin and dark circles under my eyes. So the past three months I've been trying some new products out to find a good combo that worked for me. I also love trying new things out in general - but you have to give it a good week to see if it works. I've broken the products into two categories: my morning routine and my night routine. Then I threw in a favorite face mask (that everyone raves about...) because who doesn't love a good mask?!
Morning Routine // 1. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster - immediately after getting out of the shower I rub one pump of this collagen booster all over my face, neck, and collar bone. I like to think that it soaks in with warm skin better and knowing that my face is fresh and clean means the serum can work it's wonders more easily. It has a gentle orange smell because of all the vitamin-C that's packed into it while working to brighten 2. Caudal Resveratrol Lift Cream - after the serum has fully absorbed I apply this cream all over my face just like a moisturizer. It's perfect for wearing under your makeup because it creates a matte foundation while plumping and firming your skin. 3. Bye Bye Pores Primer - one of the best non-oily primers I've found to date. It creates a smooth, matte finish on your skin to create the perfect base for applying makeup! It also helps with shrinking your pores and eliminating/preventing wrinkles. So much power in one primer!
Night Routine // 1. Zo Skin Health Lash Enhancing Serum - after washing my face at night I swipe this serum across my top and bottom lashes and my eyebrows. This serum helps enhance length and thickness and I love that it's safe to use on my eyebrows too! I don't have a lot of eyebrow hair so being able to naturally thicken them up (I don't understand microblading) is fabulous. I've noticed my eyelashes and eyebrows being not thicker just yet - I've only been using it for a month so hopefully the results will increase soon. 2. Zo Skin Health Growth Factor Serum Plus - I'm not sure what amazingness is in this product but it's a miracle worker. It has helped reduce irritation on my skin so much. The directions say to the more you massage it in the better it works so I stand in front of my mirror and massage it for a good 5 minutes haha ;) The description online says it helps reduce the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles - this gal has laugh lines so I focus around my mouth when rubbing it in. It also strengthens weak skin and helps enforce the skin's protective barrier. Perfect for people who are combating sum damage as well. 3. Bye Bye Lines - next up is my version of a "wrinkle cream". My laugh lines around my mouth and eyes don't embarrass me per say but I'm a firm believer in preventing aging early. This serum is supposed to begin lifting, filling and firming in just 10 days. 4. Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream - raise your hand if you have dark circles under your eyes... (I'm raising my hand really really high right now). Sure, we all have concealer to hide those dark circles but I hate having to put it on every morning. This begins working at night by de-puffing from the start and brightening up the skin. With a bit of caffeine it helps maintain energize the skin so that you don't get puffy the next morning and the blue tint visibly begins helping the dark circles the second you put it on. A lot of my girlfriends have said they noticed results right away! 5. Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream - if I've had a particularly trying day or I was outside in the sun/wind for an extended period of time I like to lather on a bit more moisturizer. This night cream locks all the nourishments into your skin while you sleep (when your skin can get the driest). I also like to rub some of the cream onto the backs of my hands - my momma's trick! Don't forget your neck and collarbone :)
Favorite Products // The two products I would recommend the most: the Tula Exfoliating Treatment Mask and the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster. Both products make your skin feel like you just got a facial - they give you tight skin, a great glow, and an amazing lift. The Tula mask is great because you get some exfoliating action while you rub it on and take it off. It helps clear out your pores while sloughing off dead skin so your skin will wake up and look brighter. It's a great after work treat while drinking a glass of wine and taking a bath ;) or at least that's how I like to treat myself!
Do you have any products you can't live without? Any new brand you've discovered recently? Let me know in the comments below!
