Showing posts with label self care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self care. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

My 2020 Quarantine Skincare Routine

Hello lovely reader! Happy almost New Year! I put together a little summary of my "Quarantine Skincare Routine" aka the products I have been using and loving over the past few months. The great thing is that the majority of them are drugstore brands meaning you definitely don't have to break the bank to create a nice little routine. As far as a skin type, I have a very oily t-zone, and deal with blackheads on my nose. My forehead I would say is the least sensitive part of my face and my chin is definitely the most sensitive. So if you can relate to any of that I would highly recommend giving any of these products a try. I have also provided links (which are not sponsored or affiliated) in case you want to check anything out!



Soap and Glory Vitamin C Facial Wash
This product is great for getting some exfoliation into your routine. It leaves your face feeling fresh and smooth, especially if you use it with some type of spin brush. It also has a great scent to it!
Dermalogica Clear Start Foaming Wash
This face wash is a bit more of a splurge but I have found that it really works well with my skin type. It definitely helps to control the oil on my t-zone and is also great to use as a follow up to the Soap and Glory wash. 

PMD - Personal Microderm - Classic
This was my quarantine "self-care" splurge. I ordered it in the spring and can honestly say that it is worth it! When you factor in how much Microderm facials cost and the fact that a lot of places are closed right now it actually is a great deal. I have found that using this once a week has helped with the redness/scars left behind by breakouts on my chin area and the oiliness of blackheads around my nose. I will say that this doesn't suck out blackheads but removes layers of dead skin cells, so if you use if consistently it can help with appearance of black heads but will not remove them all at once. It also makes your skin super smooth and helps it to absorb any product that you apply afterwards. A lot of places carry this product too and I have seen it go on sale a lot so keep an eye out if you're looking for a deal.

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner
This is a great product to try if you are looking to introduce a toner into your skincare routine. It is extremely affordable and I have found it to agree with the sensitive areas on my face which was my main concern. They do offer an unscented version which I would recommend over this Rose Petal one (bought it by mistake) and even offer it in little travel sizes if you don't want to buy a big bottle to start. 

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme
This product would also fall under the splurge category in my book but again it is definitely worth it. The cream has a great scent and texture to it. It gives you a glow for those days when you don't wear makeup (everyday since March) and really does feel hydrating when applied.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer
It's a classic and it works! This moisturizer is great for the winter because it is a bit heavier and I don't know about you but since turning the heat on, the air in my house is dry!! It also has SPF in it which is important to wear year round.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque
This mask is perfect to use if you feel like your skin needs a moisturizing boost. Even for someone who has oily skin this is great to use every so often, the next day I can totally notice a difference and it doesn't cause breakouts for me in my more sensitive zones when is a huge plus. I would recommend using this once a month if you have oily skin and if you have more balanced skin every few weeks.
Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask
Tried and true, and much used as you can tell in the photo, this mask is great for detoxifying your skin. I can tell for even for a day or two after as I have less redness in areas that were previously irritated and again it doesn't aggravate anything either. I try to use this once a week, typically at the end of the week.
Feeling Beautiful Facial Polishing Masque with Charcoal and Black Sugar
This mask is great and I actually use it in the shower. I'll apply it right about halfway through and then scrub it off at the end. This is also a great option to bring some exfoliation into your skincare routine especially in the winter months! Great to use a couple of times a week!


And that is my routine! I hope these reviews were helpful and maybe inspired you to try out some new products! Xx




Saturday, August 15, 2020

5 Ways to Find Relaxation in these Stressful Times | National Relaxation Day 2020

 Hi lovely reader! Happy National Relaxation Day! The idea of slowing down and unwinding may seem a lot more near and dear than it ever has for some and for others the idea of taking a moment to exhale may seem farther away than ever. This year has forced many of us to slow down and realize of how much of a "go, go, go" society we have become. But I also know that for many, especially for our amazing essential workers, there has been no slowing down but instead a new gear has been shifted into place and these people are working harder than ever. So with that in mind I wanted to create a list of five things that I like to do to find some inner peace and relaxation, whether you have only a few minutes to spare or a whole day. I think that the most important way to relaxation is to do something that you want to do so please do not force yourself into something that society or I list as "relaxing". If you've tried yoga and it's not your thing, don't force yourself into doing it and get frustrated thinking "This is supposed to be relaxing! Why am I not relaxed??". You do you! The concept of asking myself "What do I want to do right now or today?" had become so foreign to but once I started consciously asking myself this question I felt so much better internally and more at peace with how I was going about my day. So take a look at this list and see if any of these options stand out to you and if not just try to take a moment and ask yourself what you need in this moment. 



1. Do Some Yoga 

I know that this is probably at the top of most lists for "ways to relax" but yoga has really helped me with finding a sense of relaxation since I began practicing regularly about a year ago. It helps me to focus on the present moment and forget about everything else that is going on in my life for the time that I am on my mat. I have created a playlist for a 45 minute flow which I have linked below and is available on my Spotify

If you are newer to yoga or want to give it a try I highly suggest checking out "Yoga with Adriene" on YouTube. She has a massive catalog of videos for all levels, time frames and does monthly classes that build on each other. Check out some of my favorites below,

2. Go Outside

Fresh air can work wonders! If the weather is nice, venture outside! Go for a walk and put on your favorite playlist, grab a book that you've been wanting to read and sit on a socially distanced picnic blanket in the grass at your local park, even taking your lunch break outside if you are able to can give you a little boost and a feeling of being refreshed for the rest of your day.


3. Bake Something  

As I said earlier, everyone's idea of a relaxing activity is different...I know for some of my friends baking equals stress and frustration so again, if you know it's not for you, try something else! For me baking has always been relaxing because it requires focus which keeps my mind from racing about everything else going on. I have linked a couple of my favorites recipes that I have shared on the blog below.

"The Best Cookies" - Inspired by Ben's Cookies
Chewy Chocolate Cookies with Melty Candy Bar Bits


Eton Mess
Crushed Meringues with Cream and Strawberries

DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies
Delicious Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

4. Journal

Take a seat somewhere comfy, put on some nice background music, get out a notebook and a pen and just write, paragraphs, bullet points, anything. This is something I've started doing since the pandemic began and it really has helped me mentally! Sometimes you may feel like you have nothing to share and then three pages later you'll realize you actually had a lot to unload. You could write about your day, your mood, whats going on in the world and how you feel about it, a prayer or a message to someone you wish to connect with or even a past event. Releasing things onto a page can truly feel like a weight has been lifted and that your mind has been cleared.

5. Watercolor Painting

Trying to find creative outlets is also something I have done during quarantine. I used to draw and paint all the time when I was little and as I got older I fell out of the habit as many of us do. So before lockdown began I found an old sketch book and bought some Crayola watercolor paints and started researching tutorials on YouTube. The feeling of painting and "doing art" felt so nostalgic to me, it made me happy and reminded me how much creative outlets can be stress relievers! I've linked a few of my favorite tutorials below!



I hope these tips help you to have a peaceful "National Relaxation Day"! If you have any suggestions of other ways to de-stress feel free to leave them in the comments! Xx