fave products // fleur & bee serum and creams

Y’all know me- I love a good line of natural, non-toxic products that won’t irritate my skin, but are actually effective. Not surprisingly, this has been even more true throughout my pregnancy over the last several months. That’s why I was stoked to find a new, local brand called Fleur & Bee, which specializes in 100% vegan skincare! So far this minimal line includes just the essentials (think serum, face & eye creams, toner), but is made with quality, cruelty-free ingredients, and none of that toxic crap! Plus, it’s all super affordable, so you don’t feel like you have to skimp on it each time you apply. Maybe the best thing about the company, however, is that they donate 1% of sales to help distribute menstrual hygiene products to girls in need. How amazing is that?

By now I’m sure you’ve heard me applaud the many benefits of a vitamin C serum. I recently added their Nectar of the C Rejuvenating Vitamin C Serum to my routine, and I have to say I’ve been pleased with the results. This baby helps soften the appearance of fine lines and leaves me with glowing skin, which just goes to show that natural can still be powerful! It even stands up to serums that cost 2-3x as much! I’ve also been testing out Fleur & Bee’s creams, and they’ve been equally as impressive. The Crème de la Cream Moisturizing Face Cream is gentle and lightweight, but packed with potent botanicals and vitamins like Q10, vitamin C, vitamin E, aloe vera and pomegranate to keep your skin sufficiently hydrated. Plentiful antioxidants help fight wrinkles and even skin tone as well! The Eyes Eyes Baby Anti-Aging Eye Cream helps combat tired, puffy eyes and dark circles thanks to ingredients like vitamin E, squalane, caffeine, and green tea! It definitely helps me to awaken looking more well-rested in the morning (even if that’s not necessarily the case lately thanks to the wonder that is pregnancy). So smooth and hydrating! I definitely recommend checking out Fleur & Bee if you’re on the hunt for some new non-toxic, cruelty-free skincare that won’t break the bank!

 * 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 // paula's choice skincare boosters

 
 

Allow me to let you in on a recent skincare trend I’ve been loving. Skincare boosters! Boosters have been gaining popularity lately, and for good reason. Simply put, they’re high-powered formulas of concentrated ingredients that amplify improvements in your skin, so you get the results you want, only quicker! Paula’s Choice has created eight powerhouse boosters, each targeting a specific skincare concern, that can be used alone or combined with your favorite serum or moisturizer to give it that extra potency. I like that Paula’s Choice chooses to use only ingredients backed by research for the exact concerns each booster is designed to address. That way you know you’re getting a truly effective product! I’ve been trying out a few of the boosters recently, and can honestly say I’m impressed. Their lightweight textures make them ideal to layer with my other products, and be on my way!

Starting with a tried and true favorite, the Hyaluronic Acid Booster targets parched skin, fine lines, and lack of suppleness with ease, leaving you with soft, plump skin. If you struggle with red or brown marks, dull skin, or fine lines, the C15 Super Booster could be for you! The 15% ascorbic acid is combined with vitamin E & ferulic acid (like cult-fave SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic) to give you an all-over translucent glow. Vitamin B3 is having a bit of a moment lately, thanks to its ability to help visibly reduce the appearance of large pores and uneven skin tone. The 10% Niacinamide Booster is combined with additional antioxidants to deliver key anti-aging benefits. Winning! For those with blemish-prone skin, the 10% Azelaic Acid Booster is where it’s at. It’s been such a great alternative to the typical salicylic acid products- I really notice a difference! I’m also looking forward to trying out the 1% Retinol Booster post-pregnancy, as this multi-tasker fights advanced signs of aging as well as pesky blemishes! Next on my list is the C25 Super Booster (great for spot treating stubborn discoloration) and the Peptide Booster (with a hydrating amino acid complex). Which are you most curious to try?

 * 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 // babor cleansing hy-öl & phyto-active sensitive

Come wintertime, I like to take my skincare to the next level with a super gentle and hydrating oil cleanser. You may have heard about the popular “double cleansing” method by now. It originated in Korea, and typically involves an oil cleanser to help remove makeup, sunscreen, city pollution, and anything else your skin may have accumulated throughout the day. At first I was a bit hesitant to try it out- it seemed like it could dry out my skin and strip it of the good oils it needs! However, I needn’t have worried. Once I started researching, I came across Babor Cleansing Hy-Öl and Phyto-Active Sensitive Cleansers, which looked like the perfect mix of water, plant-based oils, and essential vitamins to nourish the skin rather than deplete it. You start with a few pumps of the Hy-Öl and massage it into dry skin. Then add a pump or two of the Phyto-Active, spreading it evenly across your face. Next wet your fingers a bit, and create a smooth lather of the two on your skin. Rinse and pat dry! I’ve been loving how my skin feels after using this cleansing system, super soft and refreshed. Babor even makes a few different Phyto-Active Cleansers, so you can choose the best fit for your skin type, whether that’s sensitive, dry, dull, or combination. If you’re looking to switch up your cleanser this winter, I definitely recommend checking out Babor products for calm and youthful, glowing skin!

* 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 facial serums

Serum, oh serum. I’ve sung the praises of serum many a time on this blog. But that’s because there’s just so many ridiculously good ones! iS Clinical is a brand whose scientifically-advanced, botanically-based ingredients work to improve practically any major skin concern. Their multi-tasking formulas are great for all skin types and ages, and promote cellular regeneration, as well as a brighter, clearer complexion! Many skincare experts choose iS Clinical for their clients, and I now see why. This stuff is totally legit- I’ve already noticed some pretty dramatic results!

In the mornings, I’ve been reaching for the Pro-Heal Serum Advance. This one is a vitamin C-based serum, and great for that extra UV protection. Its healing and reparative properties come thanks to some powerful antioxidants, yet I’ve found this product to be gentle enough for sensitive or irritated skin! The Active Serum is their most popular product, and after seeing how quickly you get results, I totally understand why. It has many anti-aging, anti-blemish, and brightening benefits, and really works to smooth and soften your skin. I like to use this serum at night before bed, and I love the cool, tingling sensation it causes as applied. Whenever I feel like I need an extra boost of moisture, I go for the Hydra-Cool Serum. It works to rejuvenate and hydrate, and feels super refreshing on the skin. I love it post-flight when my skin feels super dehydrated from all that recycled air. You can even mix a bit with your foundation or tinted moisturizer to give you that perfect dewy glow! Safe to say I’m sold on iS Clinical products, and I highly recommend you check them out for yourself as well!

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 * 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 resurfacing serum

If I had to pick a favorite type of skincare product, it would probably be serum. I know that's not super specific, since there are so many different types these days, but they really seem do to it all. From vitamin C to anti-blemish to hydrating, there's a serum out there for everyone, no matter what your skin concern. I've been a Tata Harper fan for a while now, so when they came out with a serum version of their cult-favorite Resurfacing Mask, I knew I had to try it. Touted as your daily dose of glow, the Resurfacing Serum is packed with AHAs, BHAs, and antioxidants that work to refine and resurface your skin. It's great for evening out skin texture and dullness- the acids are essentially sloughing off those dead skin cells that can build up and cause it in the first place! Those pesky free radicals (that I've talked about before) in the environment can age your skin, causing you to look older than you are. That's where powerful antioxidants come into play, fighting off those negative effects and keeping your skin glowing as it should! It's basically your whole exfoliation process combined into one dainty bottle that leaves your skin super smooth and bright. I like to apply the serum right after my Hydrating Floral Essence, while my skin is still damp, as it really helps with the absorption process. And, since I know this isn't exactly cheap- it helps ensure a little goes a long way, making your serum last much longer! As with all Tata products, this baby is made with all-natural ingredients, many of which are organic as well, so you can feel good about using it on your face. Non-toxic and highly effective? Sign me up!

 * 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 serum

I’m sure by now you’ve heard about the benefits of vitamin C. This potent antioxidant works wonders for your skin, boasting some seriously impressive anti-aging qualities. The truth is that various natural and environmental triggers are working against your skin every single day, causing hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines and loss of elasticity. That’s where Dermalogica’s BioLumin-C Serum comes in. Using advanced biotechnology, it delivers the maximum amount of vitamin C specifically where your skin needs it the most, essentially enhancing the skin’s natural defense system and giving you brighter skin from within. Their version is also ultra-stable, so it actually delivers three times more vitamin C serum into your skin than other similar products!

I’ve been using the serum for a while now, and have been seriously impressed with the results. Lately I’ve been dealing with slight hyperpigmentation in certain spots, and I’ve definitely noticed my skin has become brighter and more balanced since using BioLumin-C. Not to mention if feels more firm. It’s clear that vitamin C is a true skincare powerhouse, but Dermalogica takes their product a step further. Besides neutralizing free radicals and helping defend against oxidative stress, this supercharged serum goes beyond the surface to actually help stop damage before it even starts. And of course, it gets major bonus points in my book for being cruelty-free, paraben free, and formulated without artificial fragrances or colors. If you haven’t incorporated vitamin C into your skincare routine yet, I highly suggest you do so, and this product is a great place to start!

* 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!