Thursday, July 30, 2015

summer beauty favorites - skin care

A couple of weeks ago I shared my "summer beauty favorites - makeup" , today I'm finally sharing my favorite skin care (for face). I didn't want to let this one slip away because I am REALLY loving these current products... and one of them is only $1! what!
when it comes to my face, day and night, the routine goes something like this:
wash // tone // eye cream //(wait about 5 minutes) // moisturize
twice a week I use a scrub, after washing (at night)
and every other night I use a mask, after washing (at night)

now let's move on to the products!

Key West Aloe Gentle Aloe Face Cleanser - I received a sample of this in my Birchbox a few months ago and completely fell in love with it. It really leaves my skin feeling fresh and smooth. I also find it a great alternative to the Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser, to use with my Clarisonic Mia.

Origins United State Balancing Toner - I LOVE the feel of Toner on my face, the freshness, the tightness, the tingles... is that weird?! This one is great because I get all of the above mentioned without it feeling sticky and stiff. Another great toner (for more sensitive skin, and a "not so" tight feeling) is Burts Bees Rosewater Toner. 

Origins GinZing refreshing eye cream - eye creams for me are tricky. I think "why the heck do I need an eye cream, i'm just going to use my face moisturizer", Eye Creams tend to OVER promise all these crazy things having to do with wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles... blah blah blah. And I'm no sucker... BUT as i'm getting older I have decided that I should really make an effort to use "something" on the most sensitive part of my face, even if it doesn't make miracles. It has taken me a while to find one I really like but recently I started using this little sample (which I got MONTHS ago when I purchased the Toner... which is now almost empty) that has quickly become my favorite. It's a pretty peachy beige color with a sort of "illuminating" effect to it. It blends nicely and overall just feels right. I don't think this eye cream promises much but I definitely see some improvements when I have it on.

Olay Total Effects - I have been using this moisturizer since I was in my early 20's. I have tried other's but ALWAYS go back to this one. I know one day I will have to switch it up, but why.... why ruin a good thing.

ready for the $1 product:
Nicel Night Repair - Like eye cream, I just don't see the point in a Night Cream. I mean, who likes putting lotion on their face before laying on a pillow! I haven't tried a night cream that I have even half liked and I don't know why on earth I decided to buy this one when I saw it at the .99 cent only store. But I did, and I am really surprised at how great of a product it is. Again, no major promises here, but it does "moisturize", which is all I care about.

Nuance Walnut Facial Scrub - I love products with Walnut and so I just HAD to try this scrub. It's a Gentle exfoliation that you use once or twice a week, it almost feels like a microdermabrasion at a decent price.

Lush The Sacred Truth - Packed full of essential ingredients for aging skin this fresh face mask is really nice to use as often as you want. It really makes the skin feel clean and SO soft. I actually just finished this one and already bought Brazened Honey.

Mask Tip:
Being that we are currently in a severe drought I find that the best way to take off a mask is to wet a washcloth and rub it off, rinsing the cloth when necessary and then giving your face a quick rinse afterwards. Otherwise you will be running water for a good 4 minutes trying to get the mask completely off (that's a LOT of water).

What are some of your favorite skin care products?
  
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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

life lately...


...is amazing. Yes, I still feel stressed and overly tired about 110% of the time but there is so much good stuff that I try not to let that stress get to me. Work is crazy busy and home is a disastrous mess but there are so many little great things as well.

Some of my favorites...

Kins' 1st Birthday!!
Legoland
Vegas trips
Morning Runs
Shock Top 
and amazing dinners that my husband cooks ;)

It's all the little things that surpass the big headaches.

Also, by the look on her face, I don't think Kins likes the concept of a selfie.

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