POP!
Well hey there you confident little zebra, eager to earn your stripes!
Yeah that was weird...
Anyway! So! Before you even go into this blog post, stop what you are doing and go listen to the Spend Mo Monayyy podcast episode on the Bubbly Thoughts Podcast, available on iTunes, Spotify and here.
Basically in the episode I went over items that I think are important to spend a little more money on. There were a couple things I covered that I have received requests to go over more in depth!
Well dear reader, you asked and you shall receive! I will break up the topics I cover into a few different blog posts. So, if I don't answer your questions in this one, never fear, there will be more!
Fizz...
The skinny on my skin:
I am very fortunate to have great skin. I am not going to lie, and I don't mean to sound conceited, but I will absolutely own how thankful I am for that. Don't get it twisted, I get zits, bumps and breakouts every once in a while too but for the most part I am pretty damn lucky with my skin.
However, I also take AMAZING care of my skin and use some incredible products that I would highly recommend. Now, keep in mind (as I say in the podcast episode), your skin may not be like mine so take this all in knowing that the products I use may not be the best fit for you. ALSO, I am NO beauty expert here, but this ish works for me so I stick with it. But here are the items I use and the tips I recommend to keep my skin fresh, clean, glowing and pretty much zit-free.
Face washes:
I use both of these first thing in the morning.
I use the Derma-E Hydrating Cleaners with Hyaluronic Acid first. (Purchase on Amazon here)
What to know: Deeply moisturize skin while washing away dirt, oil and impurities. This ultra-hydrating facial cleanser is infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Chamomile, Lemon Grass and Papaya plus antioxidant Vitamins A and E to gently cleanse and condition skin for a soft, smooth, dewy feel with no drying, aging after-effects. 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, lanolin-free, gluten free, GMO-free.
Then I use the Clarisonic with the Radiance Foaming Milk Cleanser. (Purchase on Amazon here) What to know: Transform dull, uneven skin, and brighten dark spots with the Radiance Foaming Milk Cleanser. This cleanser contains Licorice Root extract, Peppermint Leaf extract, and Ginkgo Bilbao Leaf extract for a more radiant complexion.
Wakes up dull skin and returns radiance
Rich in skin brightening botanicals
Creates smoother, more even complexion
Get your natural glow back
Speaking of Clarisonic, this is exactly the one I use (color and all, but it comes in a variety of colors. Expensive, but worth every penny.) (Purchase from Ulta here)
What to know:
• Winner of an O, The Oprah Magazine Fall 2018 Beauty O-Ward • Visibly minimized pores, firmer feeling contours, appearance of eye puffiness reduced and flawless makeup blending (applicators sold separately) • Connects to the app to upload custom skin care routines • 2 cleansing modes and a Smart mode to run all applicators & routines – guided timer guides you through each zone • Includes a charging stand – up to 100 minutes of use per charge • Soft Start gently transitions your skin to sonic cleansing over the first 2 weeks of use
Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream- 100% Pure: This is the eye cream I use every morning. (Purchase on Amazon here)
What to know: Anti-inflammatory, caffeine rich green tea and coffee de-puffs while increasing circulation to brighten dark circles. Concentrated with potent anti-aging vitamins, antioxidants, and nourishing rosehip oil to make eye area look more awake and more youthful. Truly, 100% PURE.
** Results of an independent clinical 4 week study
GOOD BYE TO PUFFY EYES!
83% saw immediate reduction of puffiness
97% saw reduction of puffiness with continued use
SAY NO TO DARK CIRCLES!
73% saw an immediate reduction of dark circles
87% saw reduction of dark circles with continued use
SAY YES TO MORE HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL, YOUTHFUL LOOKING EYES!
87% say they look more 'awake, rested and refreshed'
80% say that it instantly helped reduce the look of lines and wrinkles around the eye area
97% say skin around their eyes was softer and smoother
93% say it reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with continued use
100% say it improved skin hydration and moisturization
say it improved skin firmness/elasticity
say that the eye cream absorbs well
The next two items I use after I have washed my face twice and used the eye cream!
Eminence Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum: I use this after I put on the eye cream. It's all organic and helps even out skintone. Expensive, but worth it. (Purchase on Amazon here)
What to know:
Skin appears smoother, calmer and firmer
Skin is moisturized, more vitalized
Complexion appears lighter
Skin appearance is healthier
Key Ingredients
Licorice: brightens skin appearance
Natural Hydroquinone Alternative Complex: brightening with African potato and tara tree; antioxidant rich
Lactic Acid: sloughs off dead skin cells to rejuvenate the appearance of skin
Gigawhite™: brightens the look of skin
Stone Crop: hydrating and nourishing for uneven skin tones
Lemongrass: tones and cleanses skin
BioComplex: a booster of antioxidants, Coenzyme Q10, and Alpha Lipoic Acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the appearance of skin
Heart Spring Face mists: I bought both the Rose and Cucumber face mists and I interchange them. I usually use this twice a day. Sometimes I do one scent in the morning and then the other scent when I get home from work to refresh my face.
(Purchase on Etsy here)
What to know: This delicate all natural face toner will instantly leave you feeling fresh and hydrated. Whether its winter or summer this mist will help soothe the face. Doesn't everyone deserve the look of sun kissed, glowy skin all day?
Ingredients | Benefits:
Cucumber Water- Cucumber is full of magnesium, potassium and vitamin C which helps your body's collagen and elastin production. Cucumber can help in detoxifying, lightening and revitalizing skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help deal with nasty skin breaks out and sun burn
Rose Water- Helps maintain the skin's pH balance, Moisturizes, hydrates, calms redness. helps with irritated or inflamed skin. The aroma of roses is said to be a powerful mood enhancer. It rids you of feelings of anxiety and promotes emotional well-being, making you feel more relaxed.
Aloe Vera- Aloe is light, healing, and hydrating. It moisturizes the skin without leaving a greasy feel, making it a great choice for all skin types. It also contains natural Salicylic Acid so it is excellent for prevention and treatment of blemishes.
Witch Hazel- Witch hazel has the unique ability to help rid skin of excess oil and shrink pores as well as tighten skin and reduce inflammation. It is an ideal remedy for treating discoloration and puffiness
Tea Tree Oil- A natural astringent which diminishes large pores and bloat out oily skin
Clinique Moisture Surge 72-hour auto-replenishing hydrator: This is the moisturizer I use! I just discovered it after running out of a really expensive product I was using before and I like this one even more. (Purchase on Amazon here)
What to know:
What It Is Addictively refreshing gel-cream is now enhanced to give your skin the power to rehydrate itself. Delivers an instant moisture boost. Keeps skin almost twice as hydrated at the end of the day than it did before. Enjoy 72 hours of non-stop hydration, even after washing your face.
What It Does Advanced hydrator with Auto-Replenishing Technology actually helps skin create its own internal water source to continually rehydrate itself. Then locks in all that moisture for an endlessly plump, dewy, healthy-looking glow.
Key Ingredients / Technology New Auto-Replenishing Technology with caffeine helps trigger skin’s own rehydration system. Hyaluronic Acid fragments and Activated Aloe Water plump skin with moisture. A super-holding matrix of humectants and polymers help reduce water loss and seal in moisture.
Simple eye make-up remover pads: This description fits the name. It's simple and I just use it to remove makeup at night (If I wear it) between the Derma-E wash and the Clarisonic. It seems to be the most effective to ensure all of the makeup gets off. I don't love or hate these...it's just inexpensive, but if anyone has any options that are better, let me know! (Purchase on Amazon here)
What to know: Simple Eye Make-Up Remover Pads are tough on mascara (even waterproof mascara) while still being gentle on your lashes and eyes. They are even suitable for contact lens wearers with our dermatologically and ophthalmological tested formula.
BONUS ITEMS:
These are both items I don't use every day, but aim to use once or twice a week (doesn't always happen, but in an ideal world...)
PureDerm Collagen eye zone mask: An intensive eye zone care treatment moistened with rich Collagen, Vitamin E and Green Tea Extract. (Purchase on Amazon here)
What to know: * To help restore moisture and elasticity and diminish the signs of ageing. * It is also effective to reduce eye puffiness, dark circles, shadows and uneven skin tones under eyes.
* Does not leave any residue behind, so there is no need to rinse off.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Face Mask: I use this usually at the same time as the eye zone mask; kill to birds with one stone. (Purchase from Ulta here)
What to know: Tea Tree Face Mask will leave skin feeling deeply cleansed and refreshed with an instantly cooling mask that helps remove impurities and absorb excess oil while soothing and calming blemish-prone skin. Community Fair Trade tea tree oil, lemon tea tree, and tamanu oil work together to keep skin clear by helping to prevent blemishes and blackheads, and controlling excess oil. Menthol creates a cool fresh tingle that leaves skin feeling calm and refreshed. 100% Vegetarian, Never Tested on Animals, Contains Community Fair Trade Ingredients, No Sulfates, No Phthalates, No GMOs, No Triclosan.
Bare Minerals: This is the makeup I use for basically everything from foundation to mascara. (Purchase from Ulta here)
What to know:
Natural Ingredients
Bare Minerals cosmetics are composed of natural minerals found in the earth. All Bare Minerals products are free of preservatives, fillers, binders, synthetic dyes, fragrances, talc, wax and oils. In addition, Bare Minerals cosmetics do not contain parabens, chemicals linked to certain types of cancer and used in many cosmetic products to prevent bacterial growth.
Non-Irritating and Calming Bare Minerals face products are often recommended individuals with inflammatory skin conditions such as acne or rosacea. The foundation and blush are also non-comedongenic, which means that they do not clog pores and should not contribute to new acne breakouts. Because the eyeshadows are made from natural ingredients, they do not irritate the eyes and may be used comfortably by individuals who wear contact lenses.
YouTheory Collagen: LASTLY, I take collagen everyday. And the one I found is cheap, however there is one drawback which may make you want to find a different way to take collagen....the serving size is 6 big chalky pills. But they are the cheapest option for an amazing product that really works. Trust me. (Purchase on Amazon here)
What to know:
Youthful Skin
As we age, the outer layer of our skin starts to lose its elasticity. One double-blind study found that women who took collagen peptide for 8 weeks saw a 20% reduction in their wrinkles. The study also found that consuming collagen helped improve skin elasticity and moisture, two big issues as we age.
Better Joint and Bone Health
Collagen can improve bone and joint health in the same way it improves the skin: by boosting the body’s own natural collagen production. Studies show that collagen can help improve joint pain, which is great news if you have arthritis or are healing from an injury.
Other Benefits
Improve digestion by coating the digestive tract.
Promote hormonal balance by supporting hormone production and improving the balance of amino acids in the body.
Improves protein intake for better muscle growth
Youtheory Collagen is an oral supplement that contains type 1, 2 and 3 collagen, and vitamin C. The added vitamin C helps the body better absorb the collagen, allowing you to maximize the benefits of this supplement.
Each serving provides you with:
6g of collagen
60mg of vitamin C
18 amino acids
CLINK!
So yeah! This was long.
I received a lot of this info online from other beauty expert blogs and from the websites for the products themselves. Therefore, the information above, specific to the benefits and such are from proven, credible and reliable resources
AND most importantly I use every one of these items so I can attest to their benefits as well.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me!
Stay beautiful and most importantly...
Stay bubbly,
Broms