Hand care

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

April Product Favorites from My Stash

Greetings, dear readers, and happy hump day! Yes, this is your notice that today is, in fact, Wednesday! I might have cried a little Monday evening when I realized it was still just Monday. Virtual schooling has been going pretty ok around here in general, but Monday was a particularly rough day for both me and my 7 year old. Thankfully he's back into his groove, but is was an intense start to the week.

For today's blog post, I wanted to continue with my series sharing the products I have been loving the past month. I didn't want this series to focus on just the newest releases, especially since we're constantly bombarded with new things. Instead, these are products I've used in the past and have either rediscovered while hunting around in my beauty stash or purchased again and the love kindled. Let's check out the products I found myself using over and over again in April!



This is a product you've likely seen pop up on the blog with some regularity and for good reason- it's a good sunscreen! We all know we're supposed to wear sunscreen every day, and I am willing to admit I used to not wear sunscreen anywhere near as often as I should. Thankfully, I found a few sunscreens over the past several years, such as this one, that I really enjoy.

Why I love it:

Say farewell to that horrible white cast that you experience with many sunscreens! This baby is lightly tinted so I don't look like I am trying to imitate Casper the Friendly Ghost with each application. Even better, this sunscreen leaves an ultra smooth finish on the skin, making it ready for immediate makeup application! If you are looking for a good sunscreen that lets you skip the added step of a makeup primer, this is for you!


All this extra hand washing and frequent use of hand sanitizer what little I have left my house has been rough on my hands! I've used a few different moisturizers and lotions, but I opted to go back to an old tried and true that has always helped my hands!

Why I love it:

Some hand lotions leave my hands feeling soft immediately after application but feeling tight and dry not long afterwards. The bottle may be small and seem unassuming, but a little of this hand cream goes a long way! Not only do my hands feel better immediately after use, the results are long lasting. You do have to take care to not use too much as the formula is thick and can leave your hands feeling almost greasy. My hands have definitely appreciated having this around!


I may be stuck at home with nowhere to go, but that doesn't mean I want to be suffering with dry, cracked heels! I'm still wearing my new sandals I bought prior to the lockdowns around my house, and I had noticed my heels were not looking too great. I had this sitting in my office and decided to give it a go. My feet are now thanking me!

Why I love it:

While it may be packaged to look similar to sprays, this is most definitely a light, mousse-like texture. Even though I knew that, I was still a little surprised the first time I used this. I admit I wasn't expecting much from a product that seemed so light, especially when thicker creams weren't helping much, but I was pleasantly surprised. The cracking in my heels has healed over (see what I did there); my feet are looking so much better! This is rich with lipids to really nourish your feet and I am delighted to have acceptable-looking summer feet for a change! Now if only I can get the hubby to use this.....


I picked up this perfume last spring when I stumbled into Bourbon French Parfums in the French Quarter of New Orleans. I had worn it a few times in rotation with my other scent selections, but it really became a star this April. Perhaps it's because of feeling like we're living a new life for the time being, or perhaps I just wanted to embrace something more floral with all the blooms in my garden; whatever the reason, this is such a lovely perfume.

Scent description:
This is a light citrus with a white tea bottom note. A light blend of lily, vanilla, tuberose, and dark musk in the middle. The top notes are grapefruit and bergamot.

Why I love it:

Scents are always so personal, and I cannot quite pinpoint exactly what it is about this scent I find so endearing. I tend to gravitate towards warmer scents, so the vanilla and dark musk really suit my fancy. The warmer scents are so perfectly balanced with the florals, and this scent really does remind me of New Orleans. I always find myself visiting the city in the spring when the days are getting warm and humid. My trip last month with the hubby may have had to be cancelled, but I still felt like I kept New Orleans close in spite of the distance.


Are there any products you found yourself gravitating towards last month? I'd love to hear about any old favorites you may have rediscovered!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!


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Monday, April 13, 2020

March Product Favorites from My Stash

Greetings, dear readers! It's been a few weeks since posting to my blog, but I am going to attempt to get things going back to business as usual. That's so much easier said than done given everything that is currently going on in the world and being personally affected, but my blog is my outlet and my distraction; I need it more now than ever at this time. It's funny that I had finally got my routine worked out where I could post on a regular schedule, but life sometimes just have to throw a curveball your way! I'm not really sure how my schedule is going to work out now that I've got my kids at home with me to teach, but I will do the best I can to keep posting here on my blog. I'm hoping having beauty content can be a distraction for you as well while it feels like the world is falling apart! Initially, I didn't feel "right" posting beauty content as it seemed so frivolous given the severity of life right now, but I have come to realize that this is exactly what some of us need, myself included, to help get through these trying times. With that, let's get into today's post!


I'm coming at you a little later than I would have liked, but today's post is about the products I loved throughout the month of March. It was a bit of an odd month for me beauty-wise as I found I didn't really wear much makeup and my hair became my main focus. That said, I still had a couple non-hair items I enjoyed a lot as well. Let's get a closer look at my picks for the month of March!


March was a rather wet and rainy month for us, and for me, that means the return of curly hair! My hair normally is slightly wavy, but add some humidity and it is ready to rock some crazy curls when left to its own devices. I used to hate it, but over the past few years, I have really embraced and learned to love my curls when my locks get a wild hair.


I happened to pick up this shampoo and conditioner set on a whim on a fairly recent trip to Ulta, and I am so glad I did! I've not exactly been the best about purchasing the best quality shampoo for my hair, and while the cheap stuff technically works, I know I should step it up and do more for my hair. I've been wanting to step away from sulfates and parabens in my haircare routine, all while keeping at a relatively affordable price, and the Hask brand in particular was one of the suggestions in one of my Facebook beauty groups.

Why I love it:

When faced with the selection of Hask Beauty products at my local Ulta store, I settled for this one quickly because of the smell. Obviously this isn't the most important aspect of a shampoo and conditioner, but I'm not going to use the best shampoo ever if it smells terrible! The Shea Butter & Hibiscus Oil duo fragrance is a delicious marriage of warmth and spice with a kiss of light florals. I'm generally not fond of overly floral scents, but this one is fantastic! Little did I know what I bought it that I would really get to test out the anti-frizz claims! I normally wash my hair every 3 days, and I was rather impressed with how smooth this made my hair! Yes, I still did have a little wave when left to air dry, and yes, I did still end up with curls on the humid days, but I was really impressed with how controlled my waves and curls looked after using this duo. There were definitely days when using any additional hair products did not happen, particularly when my hair was freshly washed, and my curls held up like a champ! I'm a little nervous about the current lack of availability on Ulta's website, but here's hoping that is temporary and I'll be able to purchase more when these run out!


The So Cozy brand may technically be designed for kids, but that won't stop me from trying out some of their products. I've actually used this particular hair product in the past, both on myself and on my now 7-year old. He was born with a head-full of hair that grew into the most beautiful curls! While I originally got my first tube of this to try on his hair, I started using it myself and loved it. I admittedly forgot about it after finishing up the first bottle thanks to my ever-growing hair product collection, but I was reintroduced when I stopped at Target for pull-ups for my youngest. I remembered loving it a few years ago and had to pick up another bottle!

Why I love it:

The consistency of this product is truly somewhere between a cream and a gel, and I am living for it! As much as I have enjoyed creams from other brands, I often find them to be just a little too thick and heavy, especially when I want my hair to live up to its curly potential. The So Cozy Curl Gel-Cream, on the other hand, is a little thinner, giving your hair the moisturizing and smoothing benefits of a cream without weighing it down. It also offers the better hold you would get from a gel product without that often felt stickiness. It truly is the best of both worlds! Because this was designed with kids in mind, it also doesn't have the sulfates and phthalates we should be limiting alongside other chemicals and potential allergens. Thankfully the allergen issue doesn't apply to me and my family, but I do know of a few moms that have to be mindful of their own haircare products because of the potential exposure to their kids. The fragrance is also nice: it has a light vanilla plus orange blossom fragrance with a touch of honey. While present, I don't find it to be too strong or overpowering for my sensitive nose and really don't smell it at all in my own hair.



* Gifted Sample

March was not a makeup month for me overall, but that didn't stop me from sporting a little pop of colour on my lips. If I don't have on some foundation, I don't like to wear a lot of pigment on my lips. Tinted lip balms are definitely the way for me to go, and I particularly enjoy this one from Doubledown Cosmetics! 

Why I love it:

This lip balm is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free, so that's already off to a great start! I really like the flattering red hue, and I am particular fond that it is buildable for more colour payout if wanted. Some lip balms are just too waxy or have too high of an oil content, making them impossible to build up, unless you want a thick, waxy mess, of course. This tinted lip balm, on the other hand, is a little drier to allow buildup without feeling to drying on your lips. It really is a fantastic formulation! It also has peppermint oil, so it has a slight plumping effect on your lips, but it is overall light and still very comfortable. While I can smell the peppermint, I only notice the slightest cooling sensation, unlike the intense cooling-to-burning feeling of other peppermint oil-infused lip products. If you want a lip balm that really plumps up your pout, this one may not be enough for you; ultimately that would depend on how sensitive you are to peppermint oil in general. If you are looking for the perfect moisturizing daily-wear lip balm, this may be just what you are looking for!


* Gifted Sample

I had the pleasure of taking part in an Arizona nail fan meetup at Rogue brand owner Rachel's house earlier this year and left with this brush-on cuticle oil. I had been wanting to try the Nailixir line as I have heard god things about it, but with a rather substantial cuticle oil collection already, it sadly hasn't happened until now. All this hand washing has been hard on my hands, and I have been going through lotions and cuticle oils like crazy! I still had others open and in use, I spied this baby on my dresser and opted to pop it open and give it a go.

Why I love it:

The first thing you'll notice about this cuticle oil, after the application method, is the smell, and whoa baby, am I a fan! I had to ask Rachel details on it as describing scents just isn't my forte. Inspired by Canadian beaver tails, specifically the puff pastry Killaloe sunrise, this scent is a blend of cinnamon buns and sweet lemons. I find the cinnamon to be the most present aspect of this blend, but I can tell it is cut down with something to keep it from being too intense. The result is spicy and a little sweet, and it sure if giving me comfort during these crazy days! I'm generally not a fan of smelling like baked goods, but this combination is appealing to me and makes me want to attempt to create the inspiration! As for the cuticle oil itself, I am digging the formulation. The brush applicator allows for precise application that is absorbed quickly into the skin. If I apply with a heavier hand, I can rub it in for quicker absorption. I don't have to wait long until I can move on to another activity and haven't had to worry about oils getting where I don't want them. I like that it is composed of good oils that I love for my skin: grapeseed oil, avocado oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil alongside Vitamin E. The only hard part will be deciding what fragrance I want to use next when this one runs out!


And that, dear readers, concludes my beauty product picks for the month of March! It's still early, but April so far isn't shaping up to be much of a makeup month either. At this time, I've had to both put together curriculum and teach my kids since their schools haven't given us anything to go on, but that should be changing here soon. Hopefully that means I can have a little more time for me to wear more makeup again. Putting my contacts aside in favor of glasses has stymied my creativity, but perhaps this is the month I push past it. Only time will tell, and that certainly is something I have on my hands now!

Have you tried any of these products? If so, I'd love to hear what you think of them! Also, I'd love to hear what products you have been enjoying this month!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!



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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

7 Products to Keep the Beach With You Even After Summer Vacation Has Ended

Press Samples Included


It has officially been the fall season for almost four weeks, but with the warm weather sticking around for quite some time, it has only really felt like it this week up here in wine country. As eager as I have been for the return of chilly days so I can enjoy my boots, scarves, and cozy sweaters, there are a few things about summer that I just cannot bear to part with. I am a beach-loving babe to my core, and it used to be difficult for me to part with my beloved beach-inspired beauty products over the cold months. While there certainly are no hard and fast rules in place that state I cannot enjoy my beloved tropical effects, I still feel a little out of place. For today's blog post, I wanted to share my current favorite products that will take your mind back to those hot summer days on the beach with sun-kissed skin while still embracing the colder and drier days we are now facing. Ready? Let's jump in!

Pearl Candle and Perfume Oil

Of our five senses, smell may be the best at triggering evocative memories, so it should come to no surprise that the first item on my list would utilize smell's incredible power. While I have an affinity to tropical fruit smells, I want something a little warmer for the cooler months, and the Pearl scent by The Sage Lifestyle has already become my daily go-to this season. Inspired by the organic gemstone created by mollusks, this fragrance was developed by Sage Machado and inspired by the birth of her oldest daughter, Sophie Rose Annabelle Lee. This scent captures the purity and innocence of the gem by combining base notes of woody sandalwood, fresh musks, and warm vanilla with a fresh, green mousse de chene heart note for a timeless fragrance that will keep you coming back. Even those that are sensitive to fragrances can enjoy this subtle scent that is far from overpowering! Whether you choose to wear it on yourself while out and about or to keep this warm scent close to home, you'll be amazed at how often others will compliment this delightful fragrance!

KBShimmer
Tide Me Over Picture Perfect Cuticle Cream

I may not have been aware of the subtle changes going on around me, but my body definitely has picked up on them over the past month! With colder weather comes drier air and the return of cracked and peeling cuticles, unless you take care of them, of course. My preferred product is the Picture Perfect Cuticle Cream by KBShimmer as it is filled with nourishing jojoba oil, cocoa and shea butters and olive oil, and yet is it still able to be absorbed quickly into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. The cuticle cream in scent Tide Me Over is a favorite of mine as it starts off with notes of fresh coconut before touches of woody sandalwood come in to warm it up. The bottle may be small, but you only have to use half a pea sized amount so it lasts for quite some time. The little opening is also perfect for slipping it on a keychain or carabiner so you can take it with you and apply no matter where your day takes you!

Skin Snob
Midnight Flower Dry Body Oil

Since we've already covered our cuticles, we have to be sure to moisturize our skin during this ultra-dry time as well! I'm usually ambivalent when it comes to body oils, so I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed the Dry Body Oil pads by Skin Snob! The cotton rounds are filled with nourishing argan, grape seed and sea buckthorn oils in addition to vitamins A, C and E to give your skin the ultimate treat. The application method is convenient and easy to use, so there is no worry about oil dripping on the floor to slip and slide on (I may know this experience well from other products). What won me over the most is that within about 5 minutes of application, the oils were fully absorbed into my skin so I could go about my day and not have to worry about oils transferring onto my clothing. The Midnight Flower fragrance brought back memories of my time in Hawaii and Tahiti, so I naturally had to include it in this post. Because floral scents overall aren't my normal go-to for during the day, this is more of a Girl's Night Out kind of product. Obviously if florals are your jam, you may wish to wear it all day long!

Octavio Hair
La Playa Salt Spray

I know what some of you are thinking: Come on, Jen, beach hair is meant for the summer only! I beg to differ! While the long and carefree tousled beach look may not be the most common this time of year, it doesn't mean you have to say farewell to the beach vibe altogether. Bulky sweaters don't pair well with too much lift of the hair, but there are ways to add the beachy elements without being over-the-top this fall. Current hair trends shows the return of both curtain and short bangs, and the La Playa Salt Spray adds a textured wave to your look while still keeping the desired sophistication of the season. I've not yet committed to adding in bangs again as I am toying with having my hair cut really short, but I am still enjoying using this spray on my inverted bob cut.

The Seaweed Bath Co.
Hydrating Seaweed Bath

One only has to look at the brand to realize The Seaweed Bath Co has been inspired by the ocean! All of their products utilize their seaweed-based proprietary ingredient, AlgaDerm Complex and Marine Tri-Peptide to repair and restore the skin's protective moisture barrier. This fall season, I am particularly gravitating towards the Hydrating Seaweed Bath. Argan oil, vitamin E, and Hawaiian Kukui oil naturally nourishes dry skin while Maine bladderwrack seaweed restores and calms troubled skin. It is available in lavender, eucalyptus & peppermint, and unscented options, but if you elect to use the scented versions, please be aware this bath product still has a rather strong seaweed smell. Given that seaweed is one of the main ingredients, it's not surprising the scent isn't masked completely, and it may be a turn off for some potential readers. I'm personally fine with it, but I still had to put this warning out for those that might not be a fan.

Alba Botanica
Hawaiian 3-in-1 Clean Towelettes
Deep Pore Purifying Pineapple Enzyme

I have a strange relationship with facial wipes- I both love and dislike them at the same time, and it really depends on what I want to accomplish as to whether or not I use them. On days that I wear a full face of makeup, wipes never feel like they get my face fully clean, but on makeup-free days, wipes always leave a weird residue that I have to wash off anyway. I picked up these Alba Botanica Hawaiian 3-in-1 Clean Towelettes to try because it contained two key words on the packaging- hawaiian and pineapple. These wipes actually work quite well at removing my makeup, particularly due to the addition of the pineapple enzyme. They do leave a little bit of product behind and some residue and a follow up with either micellar water-soaked cotton pads or a gentle wash to be a necessity, but when I want a little tropical "fix" this fall, these wipes fit the bill nicely. I should mention that those with sensitive skin will likely want to limit these to occasional use only and be aware that you may feel tingling or a slight burning due to the pineapple enzyme. I didn't notice it on my sensitive skin, but I don't use these daily nor on a relatively clean face to begin with. These are more for ultra-grimy cleaning after spending hours hard house-cleaning kind of wipes.

SoapyBliss Bath & Body Bakery
Mermaid Body Butter and Cupcake Bath Bomb

With a "Mermaid" scent, it is hard to not think about the ocean! The SoapyBliss scent is a delightful combination of creamy coconut with the salty ocean air, and it can be found in many products in the brand's lineup. The Deliciously Whipped Body Butter is just that thanks to the coconut oil, mango butter and coconut milk powder. That being said, my preferred go-to product is the mini sized bath bomb. After wearing those boots all day, these are the perfect pedicure treat! Whether you have a designated foot bath or convert a plastic tub, your tootsies will appreciate the little tlc. The "cake" portion is filled with both mango butter and avocado oil to treat your skin while it fizzes away in the water. The "frosting" serves as the perfect sugar scrub to slough away the dead skin although you can opt to just let it melt into the water and enjoy the extra essential oils that way if you wish.


As you can see, just because summer is over, it doesn't mean to have to permanently say goodbye to the beach over the next several months! The days may be shorter and the days colder, but with the right products with scents that evoke the crashing waves and still give your skin the added luxury it needs over the drier months, you can still relive your summer days, if only in your mind, until summer comes back again!

Also, I wanted to include a special thank you to Sage Machado and The Sage Lifestyle, whose Pearl fragrance unknowingly inspired this blog post!

Have you tried any of the products in this post? What scents bring back some of your favorite summer memories? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!


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Thursday, August 30, 2018

30 Minutes of Self Care with Oh K! and KBShimmer

Press Sample


Being a working mom is tough, and while I wouldn't give up my boys for the world, it does substantially cut out my self care time. Once you add it all together: working outside the house, blogging tasks, and taking care of the household in general, my self care time often is left to the scraps of moments I have in the evenings when all I really want to do is pass out after a long day. While sleep is certainly important for self care, I still like to pamper myself from time to time! Earlier this week, I stayed home to get some work done while my boys were off to school. I decided to take a little bit of time for myself for a little tlc. After a mere thirty minutes, I felt ready to take on the world, or at least the week ahead! Let's jump in on this week's self care routine!


I love using sheet masks as they always make my skin feel incredible from the first use. I came across Oh K! while attending Cosmoprof North America and brought home this mask with me. My skin has actually been looking quite well lately with a current skincare regime I am testing out, but it never hurts to add a hydrating mask into the mix!


Containing cucumber juice extract, honeysuckle, aloe, and green tea, this serum-soaked mask is a great treat to calm and soothe stressed-out skin. Simply apply to your face and let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes, remove, and then massage any residual liquid onto the face in a circular motion. I also went a step further and massaged the leftover serum down my neck and onto the backs of my hands.


It's not uncommon for me to attempt to do "stuff" while wearing sheet masks, but this week, I opted to lay low and really relax for my 15 minutes!


Once my time with my sheet mask was up, it was time to move on to other self care routines. I have these beautiful titanium-coated tools from KBShimmer, and I am thrilled to report that not only are the lovely to look at, they work nicely too! KBShimmer made sure to source these from a company that makes medical grade tools along with beauty products, so you can be confident in their quality.

I'm not a fan of waxing my eyebrows, and the slant tip tweezers plucked my stray hairs perfectly. If your concern is baby fine hair or if you have a pesky ingrown hair, the fine tip tweezers get the job done.


Once my eyebrows were cleaned up, I then moved on to my nails. The cuticle nippers are great at removing hang nails, although mine have been most useful for trimming my nail vinyls!


My self care routine ended with gently pushing back my cuticles with the Dual Ended Cuticle Pusher. While one side is shaped perfectly to fix up the cuticles, the other has a pointed end that allows you to clean up your nails.


It is so easy to focus on what needs to be done and push self care aside, but I strongly encourage you to determine how to best pamper yourself with your own specific time and budget constraints. Self care is important to reduce the negative effects that stress has on the body and is good for both your physical and mental state. This post shows some of my ways of taking care of myself.

Oh, and I don't recommend eating anything that may be contaminated with the serum from the sheet mask- it tastes terrible! This last photo is just me being silly and not recommended.

How have you taken care of yourself lately? What are your favorite techniques?

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!



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Thursday, May 17, 2018

That's a Wrap! 13 Products Were Emptied- What will I buy again and What did I throw away early?


Greetings, dear readers! I hope this post finds you well and you have been having a wonderful week! I may not have anything specific planned, but I am looking forward to the weekend! Hopefully you have something fantastic in store for you as well!

For today's blog post, I have another collection of empty products to share with you. It was becoming overwhelming to plan to go an empties post every month, so I've switched over to filling up my little collection box, and once filled to overflowing on my desk, I'll be getting another post up. What this means is I'll likely have a post up every few months, unless I end up going finishing all the things at once! I'm sure I'm not the only one that doesn't empty anything for a little while and then suddenly BAM! All the things are being emptied at the same time. Rather than continue rambling on and on with my incessant chatter typing, let's jump in and check out what I finish this month.

Body Products

Coconut Milk Body Butter, Bath & Body Works
This was something my boys picked up for me for my birthday in March, and it is already empty! I really liked this body butter: it was nicely moisturizing without being too heavy for my skin. It is a little spendier than I like for a body moisturizer at almost $15 a jar, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next Bath & Body Works sale and pick up more!

Lemon Curd & Rose Milk Coconut Butter Sugar Scrub, The Bathing Garden
I was gifted this by one of the members of a birthday group, and I sat on it a little while before opening it. I've not made it a secret on this blog that I detest the fragrance of roses, and I was expecting to not be a fan of this due to the scent. That being said, I am happy admit that I was wrong and I actually enjoyed this! The lemon curd scent toned down the rose just enough so it wasn't overly "rose" for me, and the combination was delightful! This scrub was also great and gently exfoliating my skin!

This was actually part of a recent Polish Pickup, and I knew I needed to have one! I really enjoyed the fragrance, and I had plenty of bubbles in my bath from this single bar. I actually ended up purchasing two of these (after giving some time to allow others to pick one up as it was capped) so I am looking forward to that one in the not-too-distant future. Unfortunately, due to the nature of Polish Pickup, I will not be able to buy more, but I am hoping to see more foaming bath bars from Lollipop Posse Lacquer show up in the Polish Pickup!

Butterball Bath Bomb, LUSH Cosmetics
It seems like it was a "bathier" than normal two months, and this includes two different bath bombs by LUSH. I've mentioned both the Avobath and Butterball bath bombs on this blog a few times, and for good reason- they are my favorite LUSH bath bomb scents! You know I'll be picking up more of these babies!

Face Products

The All-In-One Facial, Hanacure
Whew, where do I even start with this one! After seeing the ads pop up on Facebook over and over (and over and over) again, I finally decided to bite the bullet and pick this up. Rather than getting a single sample set, I opted to splurge with the larger pack for four facials. This way, I had a greater chance of seeing improvements in my skin. I was really hoping that by the fourth treatment, if not sooner, I would have seen improvements in my skin, particularly in regards to the darker spots on my face. I am sad to report that this did absolutely NOTHING for my skin after all four treatments. The box may contain four treatments that are cheaper than paying for four individual facials at the spa, but $120 is just too rich for my taste with zero results. At least I can say that I tried it and could share my results, or lack thereof, with you readers and hopefully save your money for something better!

Regenerating Serum, Olay Regenerist
Olay's Regenerating Serum is once again here on my blog and for good reason- it just works so well with my body chemistry and it makes my skin look good! This product is just further proof that good things don't have to cost a fortune, and I'm already working on another bottle.

Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone, The Ordinary
I'm not sure how well you can tell in this photo, but this product is actually not empty. I know some people are big fans of The Ordinary products, but they just don't seem to work well for my skin. I used this as much as I could, but it made my skin burn often, and it wasn't friendly with my other products. Under my day moisturizers and makeup, it would pill up horribly, and when I used it at night, it would gum up my assorted night creams. After fighting with these issues for some time and leaving this sitting in my cabinet, I decided it was just time to free up that space and use something I actually enjoy.


Hair Care

Perk Up Dry Shampoo: Amika
I picked up the travel sized version of this dry shampoo for my recent trips, and I am definitely a fan! The dry shampoo absorbed the oils in my hair quickly, and I didn't have issues with the grey/white cast that dry shampoos generally leave on my hair. The only issue I had with the Perk Up Dry Shampoo is the scent. The fragrance is a little more perfume-like than I prefer, but it isn't a deal breaker for me and won't be preventing me from picking up a full-sized container for use at home!

Argan Oil Hair Masque: Luseta Beauty
I am guilty of putting off hair cuts a little longer than I should, although in my defense, I've had the hardest time finding a stylist that actually listens to what I am going for and not cutting my hair so much shorter than I want. As a result, my hair definitely appreciates the TLC of hair treatments and masks from time to time, and this one by Luseta was fantastic! Obviously, t isn't a magical cure-all for split ends that already exist, but this hair masque helped my hair stay healthy and better able to withstand the occasional blow drying and flat iron treatments. I have a few other hair masks on hand right now that I am trying out, but I am very likely to pick up another one of these from Luseta once those are empty.....or sooner if the others end up being terrible!

Nail/Cuticle Care

Cannabis Flower Cuticle Oil, Bohemian Polish
White Chocolate Apple Cuticle Oil, Bohemian Polish
It's no secret that I have several cuticle oils open at any given point, and they can be found all over my house, in my purse, and at my desk at work. These rollerball cuticle oils by Bohemian Polish kept my cuticles nicely moisturized and looking healthy, and I especially appreciated how quickly the oils were absorbed into my skin. As for the scents, I was expecting Cannabis Flower to smell closer to the actual flower, and I found this fragrance to be a little too earthy and musky for my personal taste. White Chocolate Apple, on the other hand, was more to my taste with a nice strong apple scent. Bohemian Polish has so many scents to choose from that sound incredible, and I intent to pick up more once I can narrow down what I want to try next!

Lemony Flutter, LUSH Cosmetics
Ah, Lemony Flutter, the holy grail cuticle/dry skin product that I keep going back to again and again. This cuticle butter is so rich, and I like to apply it to my cuticles prior to going to bed. Even just one treatment yields incredible results, and this is why I have been using this item for several years now. A little goes a long way, and the tub lasts for quite some time. That being said, this product is best used fresh and you will want to keep an eye on the expiration date- that will likely happen sooner than you actually finishing up the container depending on how often and where you use it. It is great for use on dry knees and elbows as well! I'm sure it goes without saying that I already have another jar currently in use!


This concludes today's That's a Wrap post! Have you tried any of these products? What other products have you used that you've been loving or hating lately? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!


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