BLAST DARK CIRCLES WITH A MORNING COLD PLUNGE

BLAST DARK CIRCLES WITH A MORNING COLD PLUNGE

2023 has seen an absolute skyrocketing rate in popularity when it comes to cold plunging, in fact it's estimated the industry will exceed 318.6 billion dollars in 2023! 

The benefits are well known and include increased overall energy, reduction in inflammation, increased muscle tone and skin tightness- even mental health benefits like reduced anxiety.

So if you haven't tried it- I recommend you do... but you can also get some of those same benefits without having to take the FULL plunge, and instead cold plunge your face! 

The results are similar; reduced puffiness, reduced inflammation, increased blood circulation, tightened and lifted skin. So if you want to join me in this fun challenge here are a few options you can try.

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DARK CIRCLE MISTAKES AND 3 EASY SOLUTIONS

DARK CIRCLE MISTAKES AND 3 EASY SOLUTIONS

Dark under eye circles are one of life’s mysteries… Why can’t they just not be a thing, right? But for most of us they are a BIG thing, and something that really can make or break your overall feeling of well-being. I’ve studied solutions for years, tested many products, and these three easy changes in your routine are the three I would start with. So let’s dive in… Here are 3 mistakes you may be making:

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3 WAYS TO BRIGHTEN SKIN // PLUS MY JOURNEY SO FAR

3 WAYS TO BRIGHTEN SKIN // PLUS MY JOURNEY SO FAR

As we age our skin texture changes and you might think that fine lines and wrinkles are the first thing to be noticed. But in reality the thing that often gives us away is the sun damage and dark spots that are making their way to the surface of our skin.

Over the last couple of years, I have been on a journey to address my own dark spots and pigment, and a JOURNEY it has been. I've tried so many products and treatments- and I finally feel like I am on the right path. Here are the things I've found most effective and a great place to start…

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5 BODY OILS I LOVE TO CURB DRY SKIN

5 BODY OILS I LOVE TO CURB DRY SKIN

I curse the dry air every Winter, and then I look at housing prices in warmer climates and change my mind real quick! Anyone else?! So it’s about this time each year I switch up my routine and start using body oils to quench my parched skin.

Natural oils from plants and botanicals go a long way to heal and moisturize the skin on a deeper level then lotions, and can even help to repair damage to the surface level of the skin. Here are 5 of my top picks…

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4 STEPS EVERY NIGHT TIME SKINCARE ROUTINE NEEDS

4 STEPS EVERY NIGHT TIME SKINCARE ROUTINE NEEDS

I get asked often about my nighttime routine- what that looks like and what products I use. I also feel like more women are spending time on themselves for some much needed R&R during these uncertain times. So I wanted to share the steps that I recommend, as well as some luxury and budget favorites in each category. Remember you can always add on EXTRAS like masks or lip treatments etc., but these 4 will always serve you well.

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THOSE PESKY DARK UNDER EYE CIRCLES...

THOSE PESKY DARK UNDER EYE CIRCLES...

Dealing with dark circles is pretty standard for most women- there are genetic factors for many, but also stress, lack of sleep, dehydration and thinning skin play a part. My technique for treating and covering will help tackle this issue, but be prepared for daily and weekly commitment for best results. And chances are, you’re missing a key factor when it comes to covering dark circles each day…

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FIVE WAYS TO BUST ACNE WHILE YOU'RE ON LOCK DOWN

FIVE WAYS TO BUST ACNE WHILE YOU'RE ON LOCK DOWN

This is a strange time in the world, and everything feels upside down. Spending weeks at home is tough for sure, but there are some unseen benefits of these ‘less-busy’ days. One of which is wearing less makeup- not only because it saves us some time, but also because we can truly let our skin breath and heal.

It’s no secret I have dealt with my fair share of acne woes. I’ve documented that here for years. But in the last 16 months my skin has taken a major turn for the better… so I wanted to share with you how and why I believe that has happened.

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3 SKINCARE TOOLS YOU NEED (UNDER $10 EACH!)

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If you’ve followed me for any decent amount of time, you’ve probably witnessed my skin drama and the hardships I’ve endured with adult acne. I’ve shed so many tears over my skin, but as of late, things have been mostly happy. This week I wanted to share two posts that are skin related- because I know so many of you have shared in my struggles. Today to kick things off- three super affordable tools that I think every woman needs in her skincare routine.

Skincare tool must-haves:

  • Equate Acne and Blemish Tool Set- Ok so hear me out! We all know picking at spots or squeezing zits is a no-no, but there’s just no way in hell I am walking around with a big old white head on my face! ha! So when there is a time that a blemish needs to be drained, I reach for this little magic tool box. There are several different tools to try- I have my favs after a little trial and error, but basically you are avoiding using your dirty hands and nails, while more carefully removing puss and sebum. Gross, but necessary.

  • EcoTools Konjac Sponge- I swear by these little weird sponges. At first glance they are rock hard (like a pumice stone) but after absorbing water they turn into soft bouncy sponges that glide over the skin and eyes so nicely. Apply your favorite cleanser and scrub the whole freaking day off in a snap. They start to tear and fall apart after about two months of daily use, so that is your indication it’s time for a new one. Bonus, they are all natural made from the root of a Kojac plant.

  • Muji Unbleached Cotton Squares- These cotton squares are so soft and thick- they are perfect for removing eye makeup or applying toners. I use them for both purposes and will never go back to store bought cotton rounds.


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ARE BEAUTY SUPPLEMENTS A SCAM?!

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Well no - not a scam, but there are definitely MAJOR variances out there as far as quality of ingredients and effectiveness. So it is essential that you take only the best quality beauty supplements otherwise you won’t see results and really you’re just flushing money down the toilet.

I firmly believe that supplements are a great way to fill in the gaps in our diets and promote healthy results. When it comes to beauty, so much of it comes from WITHIN right?! Healthy skin and hair are a product of healthy insides, and then we can enhance that from the outside with makeup and styling etc.

I’ve recently been impressed with two supplements out there, and I wanted to shed a spotlight on them for you all, incase you are looking for a boost in your inner wellness too!

  • Halo Beauty Hair, Skin & Nails + Halo Beauty Kiwi Booster. Halo was created by one of the most amazing women in the beauty industry Tati Westbrook. Her goal was to source the HIGHEST quality ingredients from all over the world and combine them in the perfect dosages for optimal beauty results. She hired physicians and nutritionists to formulate the ingredients and well as scoured the US for the best labs to make her dream a reality. I have personally seen amazing results in the texture of my skin, and the amount of moisture it holds, as well as the strength and shine in my hair. The Hair, Skin & Nail formula contains biotin for hair and nail growth, but not everyone reacts well to Biotin (can cause breakouts in some), so she also made the Kiwi formula without Biotin that focuses solely on skin health. Check out the full list of ingredients here

  • OLLY Flawless Complexion Gummies Are a little less pricey and easy to pick up at Target or CVS, but the ingredients and formula are both spot on. This supplement is designed to help clear skin from acne and inflammation, and uses plant based ingredients to do so. It is gluten free and tastes super yummy actually, but my acne has really improved since adding this to my daily nutrition.

I don’t reccomend taking more than one beauty supplement at once unless they are specifically designed to work together. Over taking your daily % needed won’t result in extra benefits- your body will simply flush out the excess and therefore it is wasted. Stick to the dosages and be consistent for best results!

Let me know if you try them and what your results are, xo


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4 COOL IN-SHOWER PRODUCTS

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The shower is a place where we spend a LOT of our lives, so we may as well use it to our advantage and get some added benefits in there while we are simultaneously getting clean!

These products are all designed specifically to be used in the shower- they utilize the steam and heat to be more effective; [video here]





  • In Shower Moisturizer: Nivea In Shower Body Lotion Skip the lotion or moisturizer, and add this into your shower routine instead. Its a cream formula that rinses off but leaves behind just the right amount of moisture. I love it because there is no sticky or greasy residue, or that 'wait time' before getting dressed like there is with traditional lotions.
  • In Shower Self Tan: St Tropez In-Shower Gradual Tan Now this one is a little tricky to use, BUT for the right person it can be awesome. I recommend this one for maintaining a tan you already have, especially just on your arms and legs. It's not ideal for an all over tan including your face and back. Keep in mind that you also need to step out of the stream of water for three minutes while it processes before rinsing, so it can be a little cold to use. That being said if you do use it daily you'll build a nice subtle glow.
  • In Shower Hair Treatment: Garnier Sleek Shot In-Shower Styler This one is really unique and does a great job of speeding up your blow-dry routine. You actually mix the Sleek Shot with your shampoo in equal parts, rinse and then condition as usual. It's ingredients include Argan Oil which helps to smooth the hair during the blowdry process, and may even allow you to skip the flat iron.
  • In Shower Face Mask: Clean & Clear 60 Second In-Shower Deep Action Mask I LOVE this one because you really do get a little bit of the spa in 60 seconds. It cleanses, exfoliates, and steams the pores all in one product. And it leaves the skin feeling tingly, cool and refreshed. A great option for teens too- because its quick and no fuss!

 Happy showers! xo









BEST OF SKINCARE

Best of Skincare 2018 winners:

  • Eye Cream: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme $38 This little jar has changed my under eye area dramatically. My skin less discolored and the fine lines have diminished as well. It's full of vitamin C to brighten skins appearance upon application, but repeated use over time brightens skin tone on a deeper more permanent level. I apply this at night.

  • Eye Depuffer: Kate Somerville Goat Milk DePuffing Eye Balm $38 Wake up feeling less than awake? Welcome to my life #notamorningperson But this little stick of goodness is a life saver! The Goat Milk soothes and calms, and the balmy formula fills in pores and texture under the eye so that makeup glides on easily. I use this EVERY morning.

  • Primer/ Moisturizer: Glossier Priming Moisturizer / Priming Moisturizer Rich $22 I love the lighter formula in the warmer months, and switch to the Rich formula when its cold outside and my skin runs drier. Both are non greasy, super hydrating and prep the skin for makeup beautifully. This has cut out my need for a primer all together!

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DE-PUFF YOUR FACE WITH THESE COOL MASSAGE TOOLS

Do you ever wake up and think to your self, 'wow, I look like a got punched in the face during my sleep last night!' ??? Ya, me too... its part of life- especially on the mornings after eating or drinking poorly the night before.

Waking up puffy is simply normal [and totally frustrating] but as the day wears on typically the puffiness subsides as the fluids underneath our skin begin to drain. But what if I told you that you can help the fluid systems under your skin (the Lymphatic system) to drain more readily and avoid the puffiness all together!?

Enter:

Facial Massage

Not only is it relaxing, it is super beneficial for the look and tone of the skin. Massage helps to encourage collagen production, helps to tighten the skin, helps to strengthen the muscles of the face, and most importantly drain the lymphatic fluids found just under the surface of the skin. [

video here

]

There are three main types of tools used in facial massage [outside of your hands, which work well- but just be sure they are super clean!] the Roller, the Vibrating Bar, and the Sonic Massager. There are several brands out there that make these devices- but here are a look at the three I use and love.

Just like with any exercise, results won't happen with just once-in-a-while use. I reccomend adding the massage into your nightly routine after cleansing. Spend a full two minutes on the massage- working in upward strokes, and you'll see major improvement within the first few nights. Use the massage tool of your choice with a serum or an oil for added benefits and relaxation too.

xo

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KOREAN SKINCARE MUST HAVES // OLYMPIC LEVEL BEAUTY

best Korean skincare available in US

What is K-Beauty?

K-Beauty is short for Korean Beauty, and it is what we call beauty products imported from Korea. The Korean beauty culture is whimsical and fun- but also technology driven. They have innovated so many new and effective products, and up until now it was hard to come by them in the United States. Large retailers like CVS are now importing a curated grouping of top selling K-Beauty products, making them easier to access here without the hassle of ordering from overseas.

Check out my K-Beauty favs and scoop up some of your own goodies. Have you been loving the Olympics as much as I have? Such a fun uplifting couple of weeks!

[

video here

]

K-Beauty Skincare Favs:

Holika Holika

Gudetama All Kill Cleanser Oil

-  Take of your day with this Blue Popsicle scented cleansing oil. It breaks down makeup, oil, and grime to expose glowing skin. The perfect first step in your double cleanse. 

Holika Holika

Gudetama Smooth Egg Peeling Gel

-  Break down dead skin cells in a snap with this

enzyme

 peeling gel. It will leave skin smoother, reduced the appearance of pores, and get rid of that dull complexion. 

Frudia 

Sheet Masks Green Grape Pore Control Mask

and

Blueberry Hydrating Mask

-  The Koreans were the originators of the Sheet Mask

phenomenon

 and these fruit based sheets leave skin looking refreshed and feeling great!

JJ Young

Steaming & Cooling Pore Pack

-  This double mask first heats the skin with a warm clay experience that will open pores and get rid of buildup and blackheads. Next cool down and refresh the skin with the cooling clay to close the pores and hydrate the skin. It's like a fancy face Icy/Hot!

ElishaCoy 

Moist Up Hyalurone Ampoule Serum

-  Mini bubbles of Hyaluronic Acid make this serum super

luxurious. The acid will draw in moisture from the environment and plump up as result, giving your skin a HUGE boost of moisture. 

the SAEM

 Iceland Hydrating Eye Stick

-  It's cold to the touch (magically) and calms skin bags under the eyes with a few swipes. A perfect wake-me-up each morning and preps skin for concealer perfectly. LOVE this stuff!

Peach Slices

 Acne Spot Dots

- Heal active/oozy zits with these wound care spots designed to sooth and extract fluid from your spots, they also help to keep zits from getting infected. 

Ariul

 7 Day Vitamin Mist

- Keep skin glowing with this toning water full of

Vegetable

Vitamins

. Using their anti-oxidant power your skin will drink up this spray and ask for more! 

A SWEET SMELLING DEODORANT

I am ALWAYS looking for new development in the deodorant world. If you’ve been a reader long, you’ll know that I take my anti-sweating products quite seriously ;) as it has been a personal battle of mine since Jr. High.

I recently came across a new line of

Invisible Sprays from Secret

, and I wanted to share them with you just in case you are on the hunt for a new deodorant yourself.

These sprays are unique because they spray on clear and dry almost instantly, which I love because it means you start the day dry without the need to wait before getting dressed.

But the real showstopper, and what I really want to talk about are the scents available.

Holy Moly- they are the most scented deodorants I have ever tried, meaning they will go to work keeping you fresh smelling all day – perfect for the summer months . The fragrances really shine through as you move your body, which makes me much more confident if I am having a stressful or fast paced [i.e. stinky] day.

My two top scent picks are the

Boho Berry

and

Cool Waterlilly

, but they also offer a

Glam Grapefruit

and

Luxe Lavender

scent as well. The formula is also designed to give you 48 hour sweat protection, so it not only smells great, but it does its job to keep you dry as well. Highly recommended!

Let me know in the comments below if you’ve tried these new Invisible Sprays, xo

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*Brought to you by Secret, but as always my opinions are my own

THE LAST BEAUTY OIL YOU'LL EVER NEED? // MARULA OIL

What is Marula Oil?

What is Marula Oil?

Marula Oil is the oil harvested from the nut of the Marula tree that is found in Africa. Indigenous women have been using it as a skin and hair product for hundreds of years, and its now making it's way into American beauty products along side more commonly known oils like, Coconut and Argan. 

Marula Oil has traditionally been on the more expensive side, but we are starting to see versions in drugstore products as well. (Like this new line from

Garnier

)

It's light in texture, super fast-absorbing, packed with nutrients and fatty acids, it's and super hydrating. Here are my HIGHLY

recommended

 favs: [

video

]

For your skin:

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil

  • It balances moisture levels and works on both oily and dry skin textures

  • It softens and hydrates

  • It fights acne, as well as treats blemishes and scars with it's antimicrobial properties

For your hair:

Keranique Marula Oil Hair Mist

  • It protects hair from the elements by rehydrating

  • It nourishes and adds shine

  • It's a frizz-fighter and static fighter

Have you tried this miracle oil yet?

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AFTERSUN SKIN AND HAIR SAVERS

Although Summer vacation might be winding down, the sun is still shining HOT in my neck of the woods. We are soaking up all we can get, and I hope you are too.

But

good sun care doesn't just end with Sunscreen

... consider what you do after the sun to be almost as important. Rehydrating and soothing skin and hair will go a long way to keeping both healthy, so today I am sharing some of my

favorite after-sun products

. [

video

]

Body

Face

Hair

Happy Sunning! xo

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3 SUNSCREENS YOU ACTUALLY NEED

Anti-Aging sun screen products

Sunscreen is about the least sexy beauty product out there, am I right?!

No one loves buying sunscreen, but we all NEED it in our lives. I am quite the stickler when it comes to sun safety, and I've tried just about every sun screen out there in my quest to stay pasty. (Thank goodness for Spray Tans)

There are 3 sunscreens that pass the test in my opinion. They cover all the bases:

  • Best Overall Protection: Sun Bum Spray SPF 50 Light weight, non-greasy, and gives major protection. Absorbs quickly and smells great. I love the cream version too for my kids!

  • Best Face/ Anti-Aging: Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 High end, effective skincare with a built in protection level of SPF 50. Non greasy and super hydrating too.

  • Best Scalp Protection: ColoreScience Powder SPF 50 I love this for on the go touchups, but especially for its ability to protect your scalp along your part lines, without getting your hair greasy.

Here's to safe sun and lots of fun! xo

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HEAL CRACKED HEELS WITH THESE FOOT SAVERS

Summer sandal season is upon us and I think it's safe to assume most of us could use a little foot tune-up! So if you are dealing with cracked heels, dry calluses, or just need a night to pamper yourself- take a look at my recommended foot products for good looking piggies.

Exfoliate first

to loosen dead, dry skin and soften the surface layers

Mild Exfoliation

Medium Exfoliation

  • Amope Pedi Perfect Roller Like an electric sander for your feet, this guy will grind away tough callouses in a snap. Best for small areas like the sides of your big toes and the balls of your feet

Major Exfoliation

  • Peeling Foot Mask If you are looking for MAJOR exfoliation this peeling mask is for you. It takes a few days to see results but be prepared for a whole new foot to emerge after the outer most layers slough off in large chunks. Gross but effective!

Nourish Next

to replenish lost moisture and keep skin soft

Mild Nourishment

  • L'Occitane Foot Cream My tried and true favorite with just the right amount of rich hydration and a refreshing minty scent that takes you to the spaaahh. (if your own bathroom of course ;)

Medium Nourishment

  • Heel Sleeves These half-socks go perfectly with your foot cream, but also work on their own to hydrate dry cracked heels. They are lined with a gel that is infused with oils to leave heels feeling like a million bucks when worn overnight.

Maximum Nourishment

  • Flexitol Heel Balm The miracle cream you've been looking for... wear it every night (with your heel sleeves for extra love) and see a major improvement in a week. Then maintain your soft heels by using it about 3 times a week after your heels have been repaired.

Cheers to Summer! xo

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