#product recommendation

November 2018 Favorites

Skin:

Glossier Zit Stick

I’ve been on the search for a spot treatment for some time now, so when Glossier released their Zit Stick recently, I was psyched to try it. It contains 5% benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, and a salicylic acid derivative to combat acne-causing bacteria and to promote healing. The product has an antimicrobial steel rollerball dispenser, so apply the product to one tiny spot is super easy and mess free. It is a strong product, so you need to be cautious in how often you use it, but I can confidently say it works! Any time I get a pimple, I apply a generous amount to the area before going to bed- I always see some level of improvement when I wake up. If you’re also looking for a spot treatment, I highly recommend this one by Glossier. Also, if you shop with my link, you can get 10% off your purchase : https://re.glossier.com/31ea289c ❤️

Belif Hungarian Water Essence

I have dehydrated skin, so my skin care lately has been centered around the concept of “let me slather all the hydrating products on my skin with zero restraint”. If there’s a hydrating product near me, I’m gonna use it. The Belif Hungarian Water Essence meets my needs perfectly. It’s a wonderful hydrating product for layering, making the skin feel like it’s had a glass of water, but also being lightweight. If you’re trying to up your skin hydration this winter, you can’t go wrong with this essence.

Body:

Alba Botanica Un-Petroleum Multi-Purpose Jelly

I ran out of my beloved Weleda Skin Food this month, so I was on the look out for another similar all-purpose ointment. This product fit the bill perfectly! Skin Food is definitely more dry than the Alba Botanica, which leaves a slick finish wherever it’s applied. Both are made of plant oils, which I prefer over petroleum based products because they do more to nourish the skin. I figure if my skin is dry enough to need a product like this in the first place, it needs more than just a barrier- it needs a treatment. I’ve used this Jelly on the dry skin of my face, lips, hands, feet, and eczema patches all with great success. I’d even recommend this product over Skin Food if you’re particularly sensitive, because unlike Skin Food, it is fragrance-free!

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc All Over Body Spray

I recently waxed poetic about this perfume in my recent Sephora haul review post. It’s delicious and you need it if you too want to convince yourself that it’s still summer. But not just any summer; the kind of summer where you’re kicked back on a tropical beach with a STRONG piña colada, getting La Mer sunscreen rubbed into your back by a sexy local (wo)man with a dark and mysterious past…

Lush Ectoplasm Shower Cream

I love me a Lush shower cream, and Ectoplasm is no exception. The smell is great and unique; citrus, but the citrus fruits you forget about like grapefruit and tangerine. The citrus notes give it a sharpness, but it’s also sweet. On top of that, the color is a fun neon green and it’s nicely moisturizing. For once, a Lush product is actually still in stock when I review it, so I’d pick this up while you still have the chance!

Misc.

Trader Joe’s Cedar Balsam Scented Candle

Another affordable, effective Trader Joe’s find that I’m absolutely in love with! This candle has a fresh Christmas tree-type scent, with a hint of sweetness. It’s pine, but I wouldn’t classify it as masculine or overpowering at all. Perfect for the winter time; best enjoyed with a hot cup of tea and your favorite Netflix series (a little Salt Fat Acid Heatanyone?).

I promised a review of my past Sephora haul so 

Maison Margiela REPLICA Memory Box

If you like MM fragrances and want to try out some of the collection, it’s hard to do better than this set. However, I found that I only like a couple of the fragrances (Beach Walk and By the Fireplace). The rest didn’t impress me and will likely go to my sister. 

Amika Polished Perfection Straightening Brush

This hair tool has already made it’s way into a Monthly Favorites post and well into my heart. The perfect easy styling tool. It gives me romantic sleek waves in minutes. My only gripe is that soon after I bought this, they released a set for the same price that including multiple Amika hair products in addition to the brush. Still bitter about that! 

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc All Over Body Spray

I’m still futilely clinging to Summer with this fragrance. It smells like how you would imagine a sexy, bronzed swimsuit model lounging under the shade of a coconut tree would smell. I’m no swimsuit model, and there’s snow on the ground outside, but I don’t need to acknowledge either of those facts. The body sprays by TF are a great option, because they’re more affordable than the standard perfumes and they smell just as good and are long lasting.

Sephora Collection Blend ‘Til The End Sponge Set

Good quality makeup blending sponges at a good price. Necessary for when I choose to wear base makeup.

Verb Hydrating Mask

I’m pretty impressed with Verb as a brand; they make some solid hair products at affordable prices. This mask has become a favorite in my family; my mom uses it as conditioner . Not the nicest scent, but it works well to nourish hair without being too heavy. I’ve already repurchased this.

Tan-Luxe THE BUTTER Illuminating Tanning Butter

A definite miss for me. I didn’t notice much glow on the skin after using this, yet it’s able to stain clothes and bed sheets tan? Whack. The smell is also not fantastic for a product you’re supposed to cover yourself with (fake tan w/ raspberries?). Feels good on the skin, but kind of a pain to apply all over the body. Also, not quick drying. Doesn’t do it for me.

Tan-Luxe THE FACE Illuminating Self-Tan Drops in Light/Medium

This product on the other hand has become a love of mine (also included in a Monthly Favorites)!  Gives you the perfect tan with minimal effort. Maybe their THE BODY drops would work better for me?

October 2018 Favorites

Skin:

Elizavecca Natural 90% Olive Cleansing Oil

If you have skin, this cleansing oil is for you. Oily, dry, acne-prone, sensitive, etc. It’s unfragranced, has a great gentle slip on the skin, effective, cheap, lasts forever, and leaves the skin hydrated after use. If you’re looking for an oil cleanser, you can’t go wrong with this.

Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly

I wanted to try this pretty much from the moment I saw the words ‘hydrating’ and ‘jelly’ together in the name. It certainly doesn’t disappoint. I like to apply a thick layer of this, which acts almost like a mid-routine hydrating mask, but you don’t need to remove it. And it’s not only a hydrator; it’s packed with goodies like plant extracts and caffeine.

Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask

There’s something about this moisturizer that is so comforting. It’s straightforward and simple, but not boring. Rice extract, sunflower seed oil, and niacinamide are all ingredients that I love. When applied, this moisturizer gives you an instant shot of hydration, which doesn’t go away after a few minutes. Your skin stays moisturized, brightened, and comfortable. This is another good choice for pretty much any skin.

Makeup:

Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm

This is what all lip masks aspire to be. It’s rich and silky; not sticky like some can be. It has decent staying power, but when its gone, my lips still feel moisturized. It also gives your lips a really pretty shine. My favorite part is the smell though- so delicious! It’s a really luxurious lip product to use.

Maybelline Master Kajal in Onyx Rush

I’m actually shocked that I haven’t mentioned this product before on this blog. I suppose it’s been one of those staples for me that I don’t think about, I just use it. You’ll never catch me using an eyeliner other than kohl. It’s stupid easy to work with (which, for me, is a requirement). It gives me the perfect slept-in smokey eye look with only one product. Cheap to boot.

Body:

Hum Nutrition Glow Sweet Glow

These are a great cold weather supplement; between dry air and cold season, our bodies take a beating. These gummies are packed with vitamin C for immune/antioxidant support, but also hyaluronic acid for increased skin hydration. And they taste delicious! 

If you’re interested in buying any Hum products, you can get $10 off your purchase with my referral code: 13EAEC

Trader Joe’s Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub

So I finally decided to wander into Trader Joe’s beauty section the other day. I’m so glad that I did- I felt like a kid in a candy store! There were so many interesting, affordable products that I wanted to try. This scrub was the first thing I picked up and it far surpassed my expectations. The sugar base provides good exfoliation, without being drying or too harsh. The formula also features different oils, which leave your skin moisturized after you rinse it off. The scent is also wonderful- It smells spicy sweet with a subtle citrus zing. All of that comes in a squeeze tube, which is just so much more practical for the shower than your conventional tub.  

Misc.:

Trader Joe’s Vanilla Pumpkin Scented Candle

Another great TJ’s find. This candle smells like freshly baked pumpkin cookies, without being too cloyingly sweet. The throw is decent for a smaller candle and the candle itself is long lasting. Perfect for fall!