fave products // olio e osso tinted lip, cheek & lid balms

As a busy mom and general wearer of multiple hats, I love a multi-use product. Anything that saves time and can be used for multiple things is a winner in my book. Bonus points if that product is non-toxic, super nourishing, and actually works! Enter Olio E Osso Tinted Lip, Cheek & Lid Balms. I’ve been testing out these multi-purpose sticks over the last several months, and love the convenience, portability, and colors! They offer everything from a bright peachy pink to a moody dark brown, so you really can use these in so many ways- think a pop of pink on the lips or even a bronzey contour on the cheeks! The balm itself has an all natural base made of olive, shea and grapefruit essential oils, and is super nourishing on the skin. I love how it glides on soft and smooth, and gives me a sheer but noticeable glow wherever its applied. Not to mention how hydrated it makes my skin feel. Plus, the compact stick formula makes it easy to toss in your purse, diaper bag, car, wherever! They are great for on-the-go, with no brushes or tools required. Olio E Osso is a female-founded brand that literally pours love into each balm, producing them all by hand in small batches! All the more reason to add them to your makeup bag in my opinion… Which shade should I try next?

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // goop beauty goopglow vita-c brightening eye cream

I feel like I’m getting to that age where an eye cream is definitely a good idea. Mid 30s, two kids… you know what I mean. The skin under your eyes is super delicate, and is also quick to show signs of aging (or lack of sleep!), so adding a nourishing eye cream to your skincare routine can be highly beneficial. The Goop Beauty GOOPGLOW Vita-C Brightening Eye Cream does just that and more, thanks to an epic anti-aging combo of vitamin C and niacinamide. The gel-cream goes on smooth and silky, working its magic to depuff, color correct, and brighten right away, while also giving you firming, smoothing, and lifting benefits with continued use. If this sounds like it’s checking all the boxes, then we are on the same page! There’s even a plant-based retinoid alternative at play that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I’ve found that the light, hydrating texture absorbs into the skin easily, and is not irritating in the least. Plus it plays well with others- aka goes on nicely under makeup with no pilling! Here’s your sign to add GOOPGLOW Vita-C Brightening Eye Cream to your top shelf stat. I mean, hey, if it’s good enough for Gwyneth, am I right?!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // merit beauty makeup

Y’all know I’m a huge fan of clean beauty brands. I’ve sung their praises many a time on this ol’ blog. No surprise I was super pumped to learn about new clean makeup brand from Katherine Power, Merit Beauty, which has created formulas that are not only safe for our skin and bodies, but for the planet is well! Merit is all about minimalist beauty, and they take a “less is more” approach, which I’m all about these days. 2020 was a reset of sorts for most everyone, and I think it made us realize that we don’t need too much, especially when it comes to makeup products. As a mom of a toddler, finding ways to simplify my morning rituals is super important. Cheers to brands that bring us more, for less!

I’ve been trying out some products, and I love that I can achieve my ideal “no-makeup, makeup” look with just a few of Merit’s goodies, and usually only need one hand to do it! Plus, that cute, but sophisticated packaging is pretty easy on the eyes! If your complexion needs a bit of smoothing or evening out, The Minimalist is going to be your new BFF. It’s not technically a concealer or a foundation, but essentially does the job of both, in one compact, elegant stick. Only apply it where you need it, and blend it with their Brush No. 1 (omg so soft!) for that perfectly smooth finish. Flush Balm is a cream tint that melts into your skin, depositing a translucent veil of color without hiding your skin’s texture. It lasts all day, and gives you that subtle, but beautiful, natural flush. When you want a dewy glow without the overkill of sparkle, Day Glow is the highlighting balm for you. It’s also super moisturizing thanks to its vitamin-rich base.

Defined brows and lashes are an essential part of any well-put-together look in my opinion, and Merit’s Brow 1980 gives you volume and fluffiness in a nod to the classic brows of the ‘80s. Love that! It’s also flexible and doesn’t flake, because no one wants crusty brows… Clean Lash is my new go-to daily mascara, because it does everything from lifting to tinting to lengthening your lashes. It helps give you that wide-awake look (so necessary sometimes!) and doesn’t smudge or clump in the least. If you want to finish with a pop of color on your lips, definitely try out any of the fun hues of Shade Slick. It goes on sheer, and is basically a hybrid of an oil and a lip stain. Plus, it’s infused with rosehip oil and shea butter, so your lips will feel nourished all day! Merit is totally clean, vegan, and cruelty-free, but all these products are also EU-Compliant, meaning they are free from 1400 potentially unsafe ingredients. Woot woot!

Don’t miss snagging the super chic Merit bag (comes free with all first orders on meritbeauty.com!). I’m sort of obsessed- it’s the perfect makeup bag, but can also be used as a cute lil tote! Plus, it’s washable, so don’t worry if you have a makeup spillage ;) As if all this isn’t enough, Merit volunteers, donates and supports Baby2Baby, a non-profit organization that provides children in poverty across the United States with diapers, clothing and other basic necessities. At checkout, you can directly donate to Baby2Baby alongside your order. Amazing!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // dermalogica biolumin-c eye serum

I love me some Dermalogica. It’s one of those brands I keep coming back to for their potent, gentle, yet effective products. I fell in love with their Biolumin-C Serum a while ago, so I was super excited when I learned they were coming out with a Biolumin-C Vitamin C Eye Serum. Yes please! This lightweight serum is packed with antioxidants that work to brighten, hydrate, and firm the area around your eyes. I’m sure you’ve noticed how delicate the under-eye skin is, and it’s also one of the first places to show signs of aging. That combo calls for perfectly balanced serum that will work to fight free radicals and environmental pollutants, but one that will also hydrate the skin and keep it supple. Biolumin-C Eye Serum uses Vitamin C Complex, a stable form of vitamin C that boasts both brightening and anti-wrinkle benefits, while ingredients like chia seed oil and tremella mushroom extract help to depuff and firm the skin. I love that the serum is free of sulfates, phthalates, and parabens (among other nasty ingredients), and is also vegan, cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging. Any move that helps the environment is a huge plus in my book. Be sure to grab one for yourself, stat!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // iS clinical reparative moisture emulsion & youth eye complex

Oh iS Clinical, I really can’t get enough of you lately! Your serums swooned me months ago, but I really have yet to be disappointed by any of the products I try. The Reparative Moisture Emulsion and Youth Eye Complex are no different- surprise, surprise- so I wanted to give y’all the scoop on these classics from Innovated Skincare ASAP! The Reparative Moisture Emulsion has kept my skin protected and feeling smooth and healthy thanks to some powerhouse pharmaceutical-grade botanicals, peptides, and antioxidants. Copper Tripeptide Growth Factor? May sound confusing, but it’s clinically proven to fight signs of premature aging by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time. Same goes for Extremozymes, which are enzymes that work to protect your skin from environmental stressors. Add in hyaluronic acid for both penetrating and surface hydration, and you’re good to go! Lots of makeup artists love this product, as it’s great for all skin types, and is a great way to prep the skin before applying makeup. Plus, paraben free is the way to be, y’all ;)

The Youth Eye Complex works similarly to the Emulsion above in many ways, but with a focus on the delicate eye area, providing you with both immediate and long-term visible improvements. You’ll find Copper Tripeptide Growth Factor and Hyaluronic here as well, but also acetyl octapeptide-3 and pseudoalteromonas ferment extract (sounds scary, but they aren’t!) which help fight pesky signs of premature aging, like wrinkles and puffiness. Yes please! Since incorporating this cream, my under-eye area has felt more firm, with increased elasticity, and not to mention looks brighter as well! As an added bonus, I also love using this product around the similarly delicate lip area. Try it out for yourself and see! Now tell me- which iS Clinical products have you tried and loved???

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // fresh beauty black tea age delay serum, eye concentrate & mask

Black tea in your skincare products? Yep, you heard me right! And not for the first time either. Remember this Fresh Beauty Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence from a while back? This age-delay, anti-pollution toner is great for fighting pesky environmental stressors that cause your skin to age. I was and still am a big fan to pat some on post-cleansing! Lately I've been trying out some more products from Fresh's black tea line, and am happy to say I'm super pleased with the results! 

Let's start with the Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum. It works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, offering an overall corset-like effect on the skin with its lifting and tightening properties. Ingredients like black tea ferment (aka kombucha) and extract, blackberry leaf extract and lychee seed extract fight free radicals that increase signs of aging while also improving your skin's elasticity. I love the combo of a super concentrated blend of peptides along with the antioxidant-rich honeysuckle leaf extract- this baby is no joke! I definitely feel like it helps define and contour the skin with continued use.

The serum pairs wonderfully with the Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate, which is great for any puffiness and dark circles you may have, and is also extremely hydrating for the delicate skin around the eyes. Black tea is obviously at play here as well, along with noni fruit juice, a powerhouse ingredient known to retain and increase moisture and protect the skin. The cooling formula is great for use both morning and night!

Whenever I feel like I need to take it to another level, I reach for my Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask. This leave-on mask provides intense moisture to dehydrated skin, and leaves you with a firm suppleness come morning. In addition to the ferments and extracts featured in most of the black tea products, the mask boasts belle de nuit extract, which is a real game changer when it comes to soothing and rebalancing your skin. Plus, super hydrator hyaluronic acid is present to provide and lock in ample moisture! I love waking up to wonderfully hydrated and plump skin. Now I'm craving a kombucha- thanks Fresh Beauty!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support!