fave products // dermalogica powerbright trx pure night cream & pure bright serum

Brighter, more glowing skin always sounds pretty appealing, am I right? Uneven skin tone can be frustrating, and although I try to be diligent in my use of sunscreen and other anti-aging products, sometimes the spots and discoloration still peep through. Thankfully, Dermalogica’s PowerBright TRx line of products is here to help us combat the dullness! I’ve been using the PowerBright TRx C-12 Pure Bright Serum and the PowerBright TRx Pure Night Face Moisturizer, and I can already tell a difference. I love how lightweight and quickly absorbed the serum is- it’s super potent, but still gentle enough that I can use it both day and night! This baby works to fight all sorts of hyperpigmentation, including brown spots, discoloration, and uneven skin tone thanks to ingredients like oligopeptides, phytic acid, and red & brown algae. Say hello to increased luminosity! Pure Night, with its rich and creamy texture, just adds to the impressive glow-factor you’ll be gaining. Its active blend of brightening agents (think vitamin C, niacinamide, pumpkin enzyme & white bird of paradise seed extract!) work their magic while you sleep, so that you wake up to more luminous skin. Um, yes please! If you’re seeking brighter, more even-toned skin, I highly suggest adding these products to your routine, stat. While you’re at it, check out some of my other favorite Dermalogica products as 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! 

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 // tata harper concentrated brightening essence

I’ve been a Tata Harper fan for quite a while now. From the body scrub & balm to the resurfacing serum to the hydrating floral essence, Tata knows what’s up! And things seem to be no different with the Concentrated Brightening Essence. This multi-targeted and hyper-potent essence is the item to grab if you’re seeking a more even, radiant complexion with a super brightening boost. Its correcting power is pretty impressive, as it helps with dullness, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. It’s been extra helpful for me after pregnancy as I’ve developed a bit of postpartum melasma that I keep hearing about. I can say that with continued use, the high performance botanical ingredients truly do work their magic. My skin is already looking more even-toned and luminous! I’m a big fan of Tata Harper’s motto- beauty without compromise- because it rings so true in every product I’ve tried. It’s hard to find 100% natural, non-toxic, eco-friendly, cruelty-free skincare that’s not only made with real ingredients, but that actually works! I’m happy to say that Tata Harper checks off all the boxes. Try them out if you haven’t already!

 * 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 // osmia organics brighten facial serum

Osmia Organics has been a go-to brand of mine for several years now. Ever since I struggled with perioral dermatitis, it’s been a true skin savior! For a while, I mainly stuck with the Black Clay Facial Soap, Active Gel Toner, and Purely Simple Face Cream since they seemed to work well for my sensitive skin and kept reactions at bay. Soon enough, however, I branched out to try their Brighten Facial Serum, and I’m super glad I did! To me, it’s the perfect serum and oil combo that works to increase cell turnover and improve your skin’s texture. Organic argan and camellia seed oils provide a nourishing base, while broccoli seed and prickly pear oils add that wonderful velvety texture, all while absorbing quickly and not feeling greasy! Active serum components come into play thanks to botanicals like algae and wheatgrass, which help calm irritation and enhance your skin’s natural tone. Papaya, pumpkin, and mushroom extracts keep your skin looking smooth and luminous! I typically apply a few drops of the Brighten Serum right after cleansing and toning, maybe even when my skin is still a bit moist, for better absorption. It also goes on really well under a heavier moisturizer, or even foundation! I love that the small bottle is easy to keep in my bag for anytime, and a little truly goes a long way! Be sure to check out Osmia’s other serums as well- in addition to brightening, there’s one for blemish-prone skin, and another for dry, mature skin too! You won’t be disappointed.

 * 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 // w3ll people expressionist mascara

Mascara is one of those products you really don't need to spend a lot of money on. Sure, those high-end brands make great ones, but there are equally great options at the drug store! While you won't find this particular mascara at your local Duane Reade, it is an easy Amazon order, and you can feel good about using a much better-for-you product! W3ll People Expressionist Mascara gives you those big, bold, and fluffy lashes you crave, without all the chemicals. Considering how close you are to your eye balls, I'd say this is a huge benefit! Even better, the synergistic botanical blend that W3ll People uses actually nourishes your eyelashes, as opposed to making them dried out and super frail. I'm loving the new high-tech brush design that doesn't leave me with goopy, clumpy lashes, but rather separates and lengthens each one. The wand is also great for great buildable coverage, whether you want a very light application or something more dramatic. In the above pics, for example, I didn't even curl my lashes- just applied a couple coats, and voila! For my go-to natural look, I'll throw on some of this as well as the W3ll People Bio-Tint Moisturizer and Narcissist stick (to conceal if necessary), some Glossier highlighter, and be good to go! Easy does it for that perfect "no-makeup" makeup look. 

 * 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!