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 // pai skincare for sensitive skin

Finding quality skincare for sensitive skin can be a tricky task, but I always find myself returning to Pai Skincare for their soothing, effective products. Whenever I feel like I want to get back to basics, or just give my skin a break from too many active ingredients, Pai is one of my go-tos, and always leaves my skin feeling calm, hydrated, and happy.

Pai’s Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil works to remove dirt and other build-ups and gently refreshes your complexion, all without stripping it of the essential moisture it needs. It’s packed with rosehip fruit extract and omegas 3, 6 & 9 to nourish the skin and give you a radiant glow. I love that it’s gentle enough to use on the eyes, and there’s no need to scrub or rub too hard to achieve clean skin. Just massage the oil onto your dry face (enjoy the at-home spa experience!), and rinse with warm water to reveal soft, smooth skin.

I love to follow it up with Pai’s Instant Kalmer Sea Aster & Schisandra Ceramide Serum. It’s truly the perfect serum for hyper-sensitive skin, combining both anti-aging and soothing ingredients that work to give you that ideal glow. Sea aster and wild oat are super calming, and help reduce redness and irritation, while ceramides help strengthen the skin barrier. Instant Kalmer leaves my skin feeling super hydrated, and I love that it’s free of fragrance and alcohols! This is also a great serum to reach for if you suffer from rosacea or eczema.

Pai Skincare’s mission is to do the right thing for you and your skin. By creating products that are so natural, ethical and sustainable, they have goodness built right in. What could be better?!

 * 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 // glo skin beauty bio-renew EGF drops & cream

Hi y’all! I’m back after taking most of the summer off from blogging & posting- it was a busy one over here with work stuff, baby stuff, toddler stuff… You know the drill! Fear not, however, as I’ve been testing fun new products along the way regardless ;) Glo Skin Beauty is a new-to-me brand that comes highly recommended from dermatologists, and actually got its start in the treatment room 20+ years ago. They recently launched some innovative products that caught my eye, so I jumped at the chance to try them out. Formulated in partnership with leading NYC dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelmen, these products utilize EGF, an epidermal growth factor that promotes cellular repair and also happens to be 100% vegan! The Glo Skin Beauty Bio-Renew EGF Drops are formulated as a serum that work to restore, strengthen and rejuvenate the skin. Cell regeneration is accelerated, leaving you with overall smoother, glowier skin. Plus, the drops contain a multi-peptide complex that minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, all while hyaluronic acid adds ample hydration! Sign me up! I’ve been using the product for a few weeks now, and I have to say I’m super pleased with the way my skin is reacting: my skin barrier feels (and looks!) rejuvenated and more hydrated. Feel free to start slowly incorporating this into your routine by mixing a few drops into your other moisturizers or serums for a boost of restorative benefits. Or you can choose to use it full strength as a solo reparative serum- your choice!

Following the EGF Drops, I’ve been finishing my skincare regimen with the Glo Skin Beauty Bio-Renew EGF Cream (a Dermstore exclusive!). This newly launched moisturizer is a next-generation, skin barrier repairing treatment that’s clinically proven to deliver stronger, brighter, smoother, and firmer skin in just one month (!). Along with the vegan epidermal growth factor, the cream contains a phyto-retinol complex, which is a plant-based retinol alternative that is safe for use while pregnant and breastfeeding. It has many of the same benefits of retinol, but without all those nasty side effects. During pregnancy, I’m all about a product that can work it’s retinol-magic without containing potentially harmful ingredients, so this was a big bonus for me. After a few weeks of using the EGF Cream, my skin looks more even-toned, less dull, and more glowy all around! Not to mention that smooth, baby’s bottom texture! I definitely recommend trying these out, pregnant or not! They’d make a stellar addition to any top shelf.

 * 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 // good juju herbal

I mostly talk about facial skincare around here, but taking care of the skin on the rest of your body is super important as well! Plus, pampering yourself and treating your body well can feel like such a self care spa experience, so why wouldn’t you want to partake?? Bonus points for beautiful, handcrafted products that earn a coveted spot on your vanity or in your shower! Enter Good Juju Herbal, a brand that’s built on making lifelong, can’t live without staples. They believe that quality body care should be accessible to all regardless of skin condition, age, and income level, and the product line is intentionally designed to fulfill this purpose. Everything is also 100% natural (made from plants and naturally derived ingredients) with a strong focus on sustainability (they only offer the highest quality ingredients, fair trade partnerships, and value the importance of a healthy natural ecosystem). Not to mention, all Good Juju Herbal products are free from palm oil, parabens, fragrance oils, as well as skin irritating foaming agents like SLS. Yes please!

Now for the products themselves. I’ve been obsessed with the Good Juju Herbal Felted Soap, which is built on the fun idea of combining bar soap with a washcloth. It’s bar soap that is wrapped in a naturally antimicrobial coating of roving. When you wet the soap and start to lather, it will continue lathering through the outside coating. The roving will shrink with the size of the soap inside because when hot water hits the fibers of the roving, this allows it to open up and knit tighter and tighter around the outside of the soap. How neat, and feels so luxurious on the skin! I’m also a fan of the heavenly smelling Eucalyptus & Bergamot Bar Soap to take your shower to the next level. Good Juju makes some lovely scrubs for the body and face as well. Plus, the Whole Body Oil has been the perfect post-shower hydrator, and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth.

It’s no surprise I love a good face oil, and Good Juju Restorative Face Oil is one of the better ones I’ve tried lately. With nourishing ingredients like blue tansy oil, rosehip, squalane, and jojoba oils, it’s great for all skin types, including sensitive and blemish-prone. The product works to provide the skin with vital vitamins and fatty acids, while also boosting collagen and lipid repair as skin ages over time. After using the oil for only a few weeks, I can already tell it helps to reduce inflammation, regulate oil production, repair the skin barrier, as well as supply lasting, lightweight hydration. Next on my list to try is the Good Juju Essential Salve, which is said to be great for calming irritated or inflamed skin.

As if all that wasn’t enough, they also participate in The Happy Skin Project, which provides free and discounted soap to those currently undergoing radiation or chemotherapy in order to keep their skin as healthy and intact as possible. Good Juju also donates their soap ends to local shelters & community organizations. How wonderful!

 * 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 youth serum

I may sound like a broken record at this point, but iS Clinical is legit and I love them. Too much? I’ve raved about their serums, moisturizers & cleansers, but this Youth Serum deserves a post unto itself. It’s that good. The whole youth line is pretty epic to be honest, but the Youth Serum is the cream of the crop, in my opinion. This baby is both acne and wrinkle reducing, has no harsh fragrance, and feels weightless on the skin. The oil-based serum is packed with antioxidants like vitamin A, C & E, making it key for promoting cellular turnover. It not only helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles that you may already have, but also fights off free radicals that may cause signs of premature aging as well. Yes please! My skin feels tighter after applying the serum, yet somehow also rehydrated and nourished. Let’s just say your smooth, glowing complexion will thank you for treating it so well!

 * 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!