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 // perricone md cold plasma+ face serum & eye cream

I’m all about a super-concentrated, highly potent serum or cream. You know the ones. They’re packed full of multi-tasking, powerhouse ingredients that promote youthful, radiant skin and give you that glow you crave. I’m happy to say that Perricone MD Cold Plasma+ Face Serum and Eye Cream do exactly that, plus more. They use a proprietary liquid crystal (fancy!) delivery system for faster and deeper penetration of ingredients. Practically any skin issue, like loss of radiance, uneven texture or tone, discoloration, redness, enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles, or loss of firmness, can be vastly improved with these babies. I love that the face serum is super smooth and creamy (feels like a finishing cream!), but the concentrated formula gets to to work quickly boasting all its anti-aging benefits. Copper tripeptides, vitamin C ester (the highly stable, easily absorbable form of antioxidant-rich vitamin C), and omegas 3, 6, and 9 come together to work their magic here, and the proof is in results. My skin has been feeling super plump and baby soft. Really so, so supple! The eye cream uses the same ingredients, but also targets the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and crow’s feet! Both Perricone MD products are fragrance free, making them perfect for those with sensitive skin like mine. A little goes a long way, so although the price is steep, each jar should last you quite a while. Let me know if you end up trying them out- 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 // karyng by dr. karyn grossman skincare

When a skincare line is developed by a dermatologist, you can almost certainly count on both the integrity and efficacy of its products. Karyng Skincare, in particular, was created after Dr. Karyn Grossman found a need for products addressing inflammation, a crucial issue at the root of many skin concerns. Most importantly, she wanted her products to be founded in nature's potent, yet gentle properties, so she worked diligently to create six essential products with a 90% natural, 10% bio-engineered ingredient combination. Essentially, Karyng is harnessing the science of nature, and putting it to good use by targeting the key signs of aging. The  powerhouse ingredients used in Dr. Grossman's formulation work to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, create a more even skin tone, help with hyperpigmentation, and promote a youthful, glowing complexion. Potent antioxidants work their magic as well, by helping to stop inflammation before it begins.

During the day I've been using the Complete SPF 50, which is lightly tinted, broad spectrum daily facial moisturizer. Containing echinacea and coconut oil, this baby works great simply as an SPF shield, but can double as a makeup primer as well! Before bedtime I've been loving the Revitalizing Eye Cream. It targets all various eye concerns (think puffiness, dark circles & wrinkles) thanks to the powerful antioxidant soybean extract,  as well as nourishes the delicate skin with shea butter. The Restructuring Night Cream works wonders while you sleep, featuring keratinocyte growth factors which help increase epidermis thickness. All of Dr. Grossman's products contain Pro-Verte Technology, a naturally-based proprietary complex, that helps refine and restore damaged skin, while maximizing all anti-aging and anti-inflammatory results! Not to mention, they're free of parabens, phthalats, and synthetic fragrances, Talk about packing a punch!

 * 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 // lilah b. multipurpose makeup palettes

Y'all know I'm a sucker for clean beauty. Meaning skincare and makeup brands that are made from natural ingredients, with no crazy chemicals or fragrances. Lilah b. is just that, and their goal is to make beauty simple by offering a minimalistic collection of multi-purpose products that give you a finished look with less. I mean, couldn't practically everyone benefit from a movement to declutter, minimalize, and simplify? I know I could! You'll find ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, and agar in their products, which work to soothe and hydrate the skin while adding any coverage or color you may want. Their palettes come in beautiful, sleek and modern stone compacts, and are an ideal addition for those looking to streamline their morning routine!

Lilah b.'s All You Need Discovery Set really is all you need to give you a simple, but beautiful look thanks to their three multi-tasking best-sellers. I'm not typically one to wear foundation, but The Flawless Finish Foundation is more of a silky, weightless powder that doesn't feel heavy or leave you with that caked-on makeup look. Although it's buildable for those seeking more coverage, it still gives my skin that naturally luminous glow I crave. It also comes in a variety of shades, so there's something for every skin tone. The Palette Perfection Eye Quad in b.stunning is the perfect combination of neutral shades, giving you multiple options for eye looks whether you're looking for something more natural or more dramatic. I even like using it as a bronzer or contour if I want a little more golden glow! The Divine Duo Lip & Cheek palette in b.lovely is great for adding a little pop of color to your look. It's creamy, but with a matte finish, so it won't leave you looking too shiny. I found the blendable color to also be super long-lasting, which is key. Thanks to lilah b., you really can be more, with less!

fave products // sunday riley auto correct eye cream

I'm getting to that age where I feel like an eye cream is a smart addition to my beauty routine, even if just for preventative measures. I've been a big fan of Sunday Riley products (hello Good Genes and Luna!) for a while now, so I was excited when they recently launched Auto Correct, a brightening and depuffing eye contour cream. What I love most about this cream is that it seems to give me a brighter, lifted look almost instantly, thanks to several plumping and hydrating ingredients like shea & cocoa butters and watermelon rind extract. Just like coffee perks you up in the morning, caffeine (along with ginseng root) in this product helps energize skin by reducing the appearance of any dark circles and puffiness you may have. Concentrated powerhouse ingredients like horse chestnut work to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, while antioxidant-rich lutein provides a lovely glow to the skin. As always, you won't find any parabens, sulfates, or phthalates in this cream, which is a huge bonus since my skin does not jive well with those things, causing major irritation. I've even heard that some people keep this eye cream in the fridge for a wonderfully refreshing cold cream in the morning- I just may have to try that. Regardless, I think it's safe to say that Auto Correct has earned a welcome spot in my daily rotation!

brand love // bioderma

 
 

I was first introduced to Bioderma years ago by several makeup artists on set. Seemingly everyone uses their makeup remover, Bioderma Sensibio H2O, and for good reason. It removes almost any and every product used on your skin, easily and without causing irritation. I love that it simply feels like water on your skin, but it cleans the makeup off your face with no problems, and leaves no oily residue behind! I figured it was time I tried a few more of their products, and am happy to report the positive results! First off and most similar were the Sensibio H2O wipes. These are great for on-the-go, and so easy to travel with, which is perfect for my busy schedule! So many makeup-removing wipes are harsh and leave my skin red and blotchy post-use, but these are gentle and made of the same micellar solution as the liquid remover. Also from the Sensibio collection is the eye contour gel. This one contains hyaluronic acid and helps to reduce puffiness around the eyes and aids in hydration. I love that the Sensibio products are geared towards sensitive skin like mine, and do not cause any breakouts or irritation with unnecessary, weird ingredients.

If you're looking for a light but intensely hydrating moisturizer for every day use, I suggest the Hydrabio gel cream. It'll leave you with a beautifully radiant glow, but without making your skin look greasy! I like to toss the Atoderm lip stick and hand cream in my purse for whenever my lips or hands feel dry. These help nourish and soothe damaged skin, and a little goes a long way! Now, if you've ever struggled with the appearance of pores, the Sebium pore refiner could be helpful for you. This corrective care product helps tighten pores and improves your skin's texture, making it a great base for underneath your makeup! What's super impressive to me about this crazy popular French brand is that their products are not only effective, but they're actually affordable too! No wonder all my friends stock up at the local French pharmacies whenever they go to Paris!