Why You Should Be Using Bioré Witch Hazel Products

This post is sponsored by Bioré, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. #BioreWitchHazel #BioreAmbassador #BioreBabe

Have you ever been curious about adding Witch Hazel into your skincare routine? Witch Hazel reduces redness and inflammation on your facial skin and boasts other amazing results too.

Get amazing skincare results with Bioré Witch Hazel products from Walmart (they always have the BEST prices!)

Wicked Pores? What is hiding in your pores can be downright scary and these extra-strength pore strips are no hocus pocus! Working like a super-magnet, they lift out even the most stubborn blackheads and deep down dirt & oil that can lead to complexion problems. YIKES! Formulated with Witch Hazel, known to tighten pores & for its astringent properties, these strips deep clean, remove blackheads, refine pores, and help prevent future breakouts.

Shop Bioré Witch Hazel Pore Strips Here.

Shop Bioré Witch Hazel Toner Here.

This product came into my life at a wonderful time! We are heading to the Florida Keys TOMORROW, and like most other vacations, I always try to get my skin looking great before heading anywhere that I’ll be in a suit, lol!

I have used the pore strips about four times in the last two weeks and WOW, my nose looks awesome! The pore strips have a witch hazel scent to them, which also acts as a bit of a way to open up the sinuses! While I have used other pore strips before (both the original ones and their Charcoal pore strips - you can read all about that in my post here)

HOW TO USE BIORE PORE STRIPS:

1.) Wash face and dry completely. Open pore strip and remove plastic backing. Wet the pore strip on the slick side, with a few drops of water and your finger tip.

2.) Stick pore strip onto nose, then smooth out onto nose with finger tips. Apply a bit of pressure so that the pore strip can really connect with your blackheads, and grab them!

3.) Wait about ten minutes, and once the pore strip has completely hardened, it’s time to remove it. I always recommend starting to remove the strip from one of the lower corners, but if there is anywhere it’s already starting to separate from your nose, begin there. Remove completely and use a bright light to check out all the blackheads you just removed!

4.) Make sure to then use a bit more water to remove any residue that the pore strip. That’s it!

WITCH HAZEL TONER:

This light-weight Toner with witch hazel helps restore skin’s balance as it deep cleans and removes residue a cleanser might have missed. Witch Hazel is known to tighten pores, while salicylic acid controls oil and treats blemishes. When Bioré® Pore Clarifying Toner is combined with this botanical astringent, wicked skin issues disappear faster than you can wave a wand.

BENEFITS OF WITCH HAZEL:

Long known for its astringent and pore cleansing properties, Witch Hazel is a multi-purpose remedy. The natural ingredient is known to tighten pores, purify, refresh and help heal skin. When Bioré® Pore Clarifying Toner is combined with this botanical astringent, wicked skin issues disappear.

Not all pore strips work like Bioré® Pore Strips! Unlike other pore strips, Bioré® Witch Hazel Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips use a blend of C-bond technology to safely remove dirt, oil, and blackheads. These strips work like a super magnet, locking onto and lifting out deep-down dirt, oil, and EVEN blackheads from your most clogged pores. Bioré® Deep Cleansing Pore Strips are the trusted, dermatologist-tested way to purify pores. 

Long known for its astringent and pore cleansing properties, Witch Hazel is a multi-purpose remedy. This natural ingredient is known to tighten, purify and refresh your pores!

LEARN MORE ABOUT WITCH HAZEL

Here is an image of the Witch Hazel plant, found here on bhg.com. While there are at least four varieties of the plant, this one is called “Sandra” Witch Hazel.

Witch Hazel is a very pretty flowering shrub that has a pleasant scent and surprisingly loves cooler temperatures. It’s apparently relatively easy to grow in full sun, and blooms in late winter to early Spring.

Witch Hazel may traditionally bring to mind its use in skincare products, the plant itself is so bright and eye-catching.Witch Hazel has the benefits of making your garden look as beautiful as your skin will after incorporating this amazing product into your routine! With ribbon-like flowers and golden-yellow color, witch hazel releases a spicy scent when it blooms in the fall.

Free Your Pores With Charcoal From Bioré

Since spring and summer are fast approaching, and there are just more reasons to get out and do fun things, it's a great time to transition that dull winter skin into glowing, clear, clean skin for Spring, Summer, and beyond! 

Throughout this post, I had the chance to get to know a couple new charcoal-infused facial products, the Bioré® Self Heating One Minute Mask and the Bioré Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips at Amazon. They are also available at Target.

I am always looking for more natural ways to incorporate more spa like treatments to my skincare regimen whenever I can. 

Keep reading to learn what I thought after using both products - I guarantee these are a great item to incorporate into the getting Summer Selfie Ready!!! Have you ever used either of these products?

HOW TO USE (FROM BRAND'S WEBSITE):

Before using, please read cautions and usage instructions. For best results, use on clean face.

1. WET FACE. Leave face wet – the Bioré® Self Heating One Minute Mask is activated by water.

2. APPLY MASK. Dry hands, open single-use packette, dispense contents into hand and apply mask to face. You may add a little water to your fingers to help spread the mask and activate warming.

3. MASSAGE for about 1 minute. As you massage, the mask will heat up. For more heating action or for your preferred consistency, massage in a little water. The mask does not dry/harden.

4. RINSE. After one minute has passed, thoroughly rinse with water to remove the mask.

HOT IT WORKS

Heats on contact with water to open pores and draw out pore-clogging dirt and oil, then cools leaving skin tingly smooth and refreshed.

This product seriously heats up right away! Just as I squeezed the mask into my hands, it started warming up in just a few seconds. It was thick, almost like the consistency of moistened baking soda. It was slightly thicker than any other face mask I have ever used, but the neat thing is that it is fun giving yourself a heated facial massage. I made sure to do this before a shower and it rinsed clean within a couple of minutes. I thought it would be sort of hard to rinse this completely off with just the water at the sink. 

My face felt dry in a good way afterwards, making certain stubborn blackheads actually release easier than without the help of the mask. Win! I love this product and I will likely use it every few days, and since it heated up, it was nice because I am ALWAYS cold, so this did help with that too.

HOW TO USE (FROM BRAND'S WEBSITE):

1. Wet nose

2. Peel strip off plastic & apply to nose smooth side down

3. Wait 10-15 min

4. Peel off strip starting at edges

5. Check out all the dirt & oil…if you're into that sort of thing

"Remove weeks (yes- weeks!) worth of pore gunk with just one strip. With natural charcoal, pore strips suck out deep-down dirt, oil and blackheads, leaving skin feeling fresh, clean and 3x less oily. These Biore With Natural Charcoal, known for its ability to draw out and trap deep-down impurities". 

They are a bit different than the original pore strips that I remember using in high school and really up until this point. The charcoal version is a bit thicker and so I think they do have more blackhead extracting power! I feel the pore strips actually putting some pressure on my skin as they dry, which makes me think they are sticking really well. 

Once I removed the pore strip, The pore strip came off of my nose way easier than the white colored strips, which I liked a lot better. I did have a bit of charcoal residue around my nose, but I just used a bit of water and rubbed in that awesome charcoal onto the skin around my nose. I thought that was actually nice being able to have even a bit of a deep cleansing step after the strip!

Since the strips are black, it is a bit harder to see the blackheads on them. I used a little magnified mirror that I had, and could see tons of little bits of dirt that the strip had removed. I think the strips are overall better at removing smaller dirt that can turn very quickly into something worse, so it's always nice to use these strips at the preventative stage. 

I am excited to give some of these to my friends and see what they think too! 

Once I pulled the pore strips off of my nose, I of course immediately checked for blackheads on the little pore strip. It's so gratifying to see all that dirt that had NO business being stuck on my nose :)

Check out links to purchase the products below! 

The Bioré One Minute Self Heating Mask  

Bioré Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips

Transform Your Hair With Vanity Planet + Learn How To Sew This Boho Fabric Headband!


Sponsored Post: This post is sponsored by Vanity Planet but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
#VPbeauty #VPtransformsummer #VanityPlanet

I have had this urge to refresh my routine lately, and I wanted to share a unique product from Vanity Planet, a company that I have loved for some time now. My hair has been a bit lackluster lately. I am not one to use a lot of heat on my hair, and I try to use sulfate free products whenever I can (mainly shampoo and conditioner). I am also one who washes my hair every single day. I have read so much about not doing this every day, but all of that dirt and oil that is in my hair each morning, makes it nearly impossible for me to miss a day of washing, no matter WHAT the experts say!

So, I am excited to try out this Moisturizing and Restorative Hair Treatment from Vanity Planet soon. The brand was so kind to send this hair treatment and also a neat product called the Groove (a scalp massager). I will also give this tool a try soon, which is supposed to help lather in the product. I have super long hair, and I am thinking this is going to be a helpful tool for someone with short hair, that would not tangle into it like longer hair could. My mom has short hair, so perhaps this could be a cute Mother's Day gift, too!

Also, I now you're going to love this super easy DIY Sewn Fabric Headband, because a good headband, that fist like a dream is hard to find. They're either too tight for me, or never fit just right. I used this fun Hair Treatment as inspiration for this post. See this awesome, DIY Fabric Headband in the photo, below.

Since it's already graduation season, and it's almost Mother's Day, I thought this would be a super cute, very thoughtful gift idea for a woman in your life!

I love having an army of headbands, just in case I need a cute way to keep my hair where it's supposed to be in the car on a road trip, or perhaps I just want my hair to be extra cute?! It gets so hot and humid here each summer, that my hair does what it wants when the temps rise. Also, I love being able to pull on a headband while I'm washing my face - I can't stand when my hair gets drenched while I'm at the sink! 

I also figure that this adorable headband would be amazing for Festival Season! Pair it with jean shorts and a patterned, flowy tank top, or wear it with an adorable dress! Any camping trip would benefit from a cute headband or two. 

Even better, Vanity Planet has TONS of sales going on right now, on products ranging across categories like 25% Off HAIR PRODUCTS, 70% Off SKINCARE, and 70% Off MAKEUP BRUSHES!

LET"S MAKE A HEADBAND!!

1.) Cut your materials: 1 Piece at 20" x 6.5", 1 piece st 8" x 3" and a piece of elastic at 5". I used a curtain-like material, that I loved so much! But, it was slightly difficult to sew. Instead, feel free to even use an old t-shirt, other jersey knit fabrics, or any sort of lightweight cotton or even seersucker material. I have made LOTS of these headbands in the past, and love each and every one!

2.) Fold the 8"x3" piece in half, right sides together, and pin lengthwise. Sew this up to create a tube. Turn it right side out. Also, double fold down a small portion of the long sides of the 20" x 6.5" piece to hide raw edges. Use an iron to make flat folds, or just eye it. 

3.) Attach a large safety pin to one end of your elastic, and pull it through the tube you just created. Line the ends of the tube and the elastic up, and sew them together. Next, pull the safety pin all the way through, so the whole safety pin is out of the tubs. This will scrunch the tube a bit. While holding onto the safety pin for resistance, sew the other end of the elastic into the tube (sew across a few times so it's safe). Cut excess elastic and safety pin away and you have a scrunchy tube!

4.) Now, sew the scrunchy tube to the rest of the material. Place the scrunchy tube on top of the longer piece of fabric, right sides together. Place the scrunchy tube about 2/3 of the way into the bigger piece, and use an accordion fold to sandwich the scrunchy tube into the larger piece. Pin and sew across the fabrics to join them. Attach the scrunchy tube to the other side of the big piece of fabric, and again, sandwich the scrunchy tube into the other piece of fabric with an accordion fold. Cut off lose threads and turn right side out. Now, you're done! 

And, there you have it, the cutest headband around! 

Also, I love my SpinBrush, that I got last year, It's very effective in getting dirt and oil off your face, as well as all those dead skin cells - perfect for rising summer temps. This is a great travel companion, too! Get 70% Off, by using code SpinSpring70 at checkout.

Also, Vanity Planet is offering a huge selection of new products like this set of Makeup Brushes, which you can try out at 70% off, by using code MakeupSpring70 at checkout, too!

Tips On Making A Mother's Day Gift Basket + Le Petit Marseillais - Say Bonjour To France's #1 Body Wash - Now In The U.S.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SoFreshSoFrench #CollectiveBias

One of France’s biggest beauty secrets is out – say “Bonjour” to Le Petit Marseillais™, France’s #1 body wash brand that is finally here in America. This carefully-curated Walmart collection is available beginning in March and features 17 products, located in the specialty bath & body aisle, where loofahs are sold. I had the opportunity to test out some of these incredibly wonderful products, and I am so excited to share them with you! You will find these products at a very reasonable price point too. I am considering grabbing myself a few of the scents, and am also looking forward to being able to gift these in a Mother's Day Gift basket soon. The full collection can be found in Walmart and also online! I am also sharing some early Mother's Day Gift Ideas, all of which you can customize to your mom's favorite scents and taste preferences. Also, get a quick and easy DIY idea to add into your gift basket. Enjoy!

Shop online for the whole line of products at walmart.com.

Learn all about the brand on their website, here.

Follow the brand on Instagram here.

And, connect with them on Facebook, here.

Le Petit Marseillais™ was originally created in the sunny harbor of Marseille, a city on France's southern coast. It was an important trading center in the region, where the founder, Bernard Lengelle, fell in love with the region's fragrant artisan soap made with local olive oil. Utilizing ingredients deeply rooted in sunny Province, a French region known for its Earthly riches, simple values, and joie de vivre - joy of life, these products are well-loved among those who live in and those who travel to France. Upon reading lots of positive reviews of the brand, I learned that customers are extremely excited that this line is finally available in the US!

I was fortunate enough to receive a shipment of the following items to feature in my post. I have since seen the whole line of products at various Walmart locations, and I am excited to try the entire line - at this price point, I can definitely afford to test a few of them out! Read on to see what I thought of each product. The entire collection includes an assortment of eight body/hand moisturizers, two liquid hand soaps, six body washes and a bar soap with prices ranging from $3.99 - $7.97.

  1. Le Petit Marseillais™ Orange Blossom Extra Gentle Shower Crème Body Wash
  2. Le Petit Marseillais™ Orange Blossom Extra Gentle Hand Soap
  3. Le Petit Marseillais™ Shea Butter, Sweet Almond & Argan Oil Nourishing Body Milk Lotion

If you're looking for a beautiful and easy way to add a bit of a personal touch to your gift basket, here is an idea! Simply use fabric glue, hand stitch, or use a sewing machine to attach ribbon to some wash cloths or hand towels. I used a tropical printed ribbon because I love the fresh and sunny appeal of this line of products. I originally wanted to use some ribbon in an orange hue to match the packaging, but nothing looked quite right in the orange ribbon section. This retro-tropical pineapple ribbon from a fabric store jumped right out at me, and it looked amazing on these white towels. Alternately, feel free to use towels and ribbon (or any trim will do) in whatever colors would go with the recipient's bathroom.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR GIFT BASKET

Lotions, Soaps, Body Washes - Treat Mom (or grandmas, step moms, aunts, friends, really anyone special) to something that will nourish their skin and smell delicious.

Something Tasty and Sweet - I opted to include a delicious chocolate bar that was dark chocolate infused with oranges, because I thought that would pair perfectly with the scent of these body products.

Something Hand Made Or Personalized - like I mentioned, I embellished these cute cloths and think they really added a very personal touch to this gift basket.

Fresh Flowers - I opted for local wildflowers from our property, but feel free to purchase a bouquet that coordinates in color or scent with the other gifts items.

And For The Basket - Feel free to use a basket or container that the recipient can use again and again, and will always think of you when she uses it. This wooden crate was perfect to reiterate the Earthy and adorable look of the gifts inside. I also used colorful tissue paper in the bottom of the basket to secure items inside, and also help raise the bottles up to different heights for visual interest.

As soon as I received these goodies, I tested them out. I wanted to make sure I was gifting my Mom good products, of course. First, I tried the Le Petit Marseillais™ Orange Blossom Extra Gentle Hand Soap. Gentle it was! I definitely do not use a lot of scented products, but this line contains such light, refreshing scents that I was instantly intrigued. I am also pretty particular about hand soap, because I love when my hands feel extra clean, and grease free, and this worked super well. It left just a light scent of orange blossom, and I loved it.

Next. I tried out the Le Petit Marseillais™ Shea Butter, Sweet Almond & Argan Oil Nourishing Body Milk Lotion. I have also had less than appealing results with Milk Lotions in the past, because they can sometimes feel a bit "watery", but this one is definitely different than anything I've tried in the past. I am currently in Arizona, so my skin has been extra dry from the arid climate. Well, this lotion is my new best friend! It also has that light, fresh orange blossom scent (a very realistic floral aroma), and moisturizes extremely well. I did not have to reapply until the next day! And, the pump style bottle is very easy to use. So happy with this lotion.

Lastly, I used the Le Petit Marseillais™ Orange Blossom Extra Gentle Shower Crème Body Wash during my shower the following morning, and this has the best lather and foaming qualities of any body wash I've ever used! Again, it contained that light, fresh scent that I love, and cleansed very well. It was definitely gentle, as the name implies, and I felt extremely clean and also moisturized after the shower. There appear to be no harsh ingredients in these products, making me so happy that I found out about them. 

Overall, I am extremely happy with this line of products, and I know you and whoever you choose to gift them to, will also adore the whole line of simple, breezy, and uncomplicated products by Le Petit Marseillais™. 

I am so fortunate to be spending some time in Arizona, and was able to source some orange blossoms in the neighborhood. Everything here in the desert is kissed by sunshine pretty much every day, so I understand the attraction to and importance of such ingredients. These orange blossoms smell better than I could even describe in words, and these Le Petit Marseillais™ products capture the essence in a very perfect way. 

What are your favorite items to include in gift baskets and gift for Mother's Day?

The Ceramide Difference

Have you ever used a wet-skin lotion before? If not, your'e missing out. Whether you live in a dry climate or a humid one, this Curel® Advanced Ceramide Complex will be a great addition to your skincare routine. I'm also excited to explain Ceramides a bit better to you, so keep reading to learn more. 

I’m sharing #Curel® HYDRA THERAPY WET SKIN MOISTURIZER in my life as part of a Curél sponsored series for Socialstars™. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep my blog a beautiful place to showcase my work! 

Curel® Advanced Ceramide Complex makes it easy to incorporate a bit of extra moisture to your skin, and since you use this on wet skin after a shower, it's easy to remember to do it every day. The bottle is attractive, and the pump works really well. The bottle is actually designed with ridges on the sides, so it won't slip out of your hands while your skin is wet!! So thoughtful :) 

This product is unscented, which is amazing. I love the fact that a fragrance isn't an addition ingredient. I am not a fan of anything that is heavily scented (unless it's a baked good, haha!).

I am not sure if you have ever experienced this, but sometimes, I will use lotion, and minutes later, it doesn't seem to have even moisturized my skin. Curel® offers an alternative to that problem. Their Hydratherapy Lotion that you use on wet skin, so it is able to penetrate better, and since warm water opens capillaries in your skin, it makes sense that this product would be able to absorb easier. My skin feels soft and smooth, and is moisturized without feeling greasy. 

I was also lucky enough to receive a FREE sample of this Curel® Hydratherapy lotion from Crowdtap, and I am so excited I've got a travel size now!!

Clinical studies have shown that dry and damaged skin is often linked to depleted ceramide levels. Ceramides are naturally found in skin’s vulnerable outer layer and help skin retain moisture. When skin’s ceramide levels are low, skin has difficulty retaining moisture. While traditional lotions only hydrate skin’s surface, Curél® moisturizers work at the source of dryness to strengthen skin's moisture retaining capacity, not just relieving symptoms, but actually, over time, preventing symptoms from recurring.

I have spent time in both dry climates (like Arizona, Colorado, and Utah), and I feel like the arid climate, intense sunshine, and even water in those places dries my skin out. Well, the idea of applying this lotion to wet skin, if you are in those sorts of locations, seems like an absolute win! 

What are ceramides?

Ceramides are natural lipids and are a major component in surface skin structure. They serve as part of the "glue" that holds surface skin cells together.

Why are ceramides important?

Dry, irritated, and sensitive skin often lacks ceramides. As a result, skin's protective barrier is compromised and becomes more susceptible to environmental factors, changes of season, and other irritants.

Curél® Skincare - The Ceramide Difference

When natural ceramide levels are depleted, our formula works to improve moisture retention of the skin. Locking in moisture for all-day hydration, Curél® lotions and creams not only relieve irritated and dry skin instantly, but also replenish and repair skin by forming a protective barrier and keeping future irritants out.

Thanks so much for checking out my latest post for Curel®, and be sure to check them out on Facebook and on their website! 

Skinny Whip ~ Caffeinated Body Wash

I grabbed a sample of something really great at The Neighborhood Co-Op recently. This Energizing Grapefruit Smoothing Body Wash with Caffeine by Beautiful Nutrition is amazing! I am not usually one to use very scented products of any sort, but the smell of this body wash smells like someone just opened a real grapefruit right in front of you! I love the consistency of this too - it's more of a gel than anything, making it pretty concentrated, with a great lather, so you don't have to use a lot at once. I love it because it is super moisturizing, but does not leave your skin feeling slick, like there is a lot of product left over. 

This product receives all 5 star reviews, all of them are highlighting similar benefits to what I found, it's really great! 

I notice my arms and legs feeling more moisturized into the next day, even, without using any lotion. I would imagine that this is going to be a great product for harsh winter months, when you are craving soft skin, sunshine, and the smell of tropical fruit. 

caffeinated and clean

"Skinny Whip™ is a rich, foamy, deeply moisturizing body wash that contains caffeine to smooth and energize your body for firmer looking skin as you shower."

"Studies have shown caffeine to be effective at delivering a smoother and firmer appearance of skin. The effectiveness of caffeine is dependent on the amount of time left on the skin prior to rinsing. Follow directions for maximum results.

DIRECTIONS
Apply onto a puff and massage into skin using a circular motion. For best results, allow body wash to remain on skin for several minutes (up to 5 minutes) before rinsing."

Overall, I would recommend this product to anyone who loves the fresh scent of real grapefruit and also loves an ultra-rich body wash that does not leave your skin feeling like there is a bunch of soap still left on them. Find this body wash and other products by Beautiful Nutrition, here. 

How To Keep Your Skin Hydrated in Late Summer ~ Early Fall {Plus: Tips on Making Guests Feel At Home}

I'm so happy to bring you another amazing post today, incorporating the Curel® Hydratherapy Wet Skin Moisturizer. As the seasons change, humidity levels do too. This can mean going from 90% humidity, down to 50% in a matter of days here in southern Illinois, so it's best to get ahead of the game, and stay moisturized!

I also wanted to share a few tips on making your visitors and house guests feel right at home when visiting you! It's as simple as leaving fresh, new towels rolled up in a decorative basket. Also, provide guests with spa-like bath products, like the Curel® Hydratherapy Wet Skin Moisturizer. This is perfect for guests, because it smells amazing, and contains a water-activated moisturizer - perfect for any weather conditions. Another important tip is to help your guests stay hydrated (first with the Moisturizer, then with a welcoming array of fresh, chilled water, ready for them after their long travels. These are some ways you can add a touch of welcoming into your guests' experience while staying at your home.  

 

 

I’m sharing #Curel® HYDRA THERAPY WET SKIN MOISTURIZER in my life as part of a Curél sponsored series for Socialstars™. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep my blog a beautiful place to showcase my work! 

I also created this beautiful candle holder with a terrarrium I found at a craft store, white decorative sand, and a scented candle in a tin. I love how this turned out!! (see below)

Below, I used some flip-top bottle I found at a craft store, and this amazing, vintage glass bottle that a family member gave me. It's so pretty, and little touches like this will make your guests not have to even ask where they can find a glass - they will have everything they need some place in their room. 

Learn More About The Moisturizer

Curél is debuting their new Hydra Therapy product which helps combat dry skin and helps you look your best during warmer weather and beyond! Be sure to check out Curél® on Facebook to get updates and to learn more. 

  • Curel® HYDRA THERAPY WET SKIN MOISTURIZER is activated by water on freshly-showered skin and penetrates deeply into the surface to heal dryness

  • After showering, your skin cells expand, which provides an easy pathway for Curel® HYDRA THERAPY WET SKIN MOISTURIZER to penetrate into just showered skin, healing the moisture barrier where it counts and helping replenish skin’s ceramide levels

  • Curel® HYDRA THERAPY WET SKIN MOISTURIZER is not greasy or sticky and has powerful healing ingredients that restore the moisture barrier

  • Apply daily & experience the end of dry skin

I also love the colors I got to incorporate into this thoughtful set of images. The bright, white towels, rustic metal basket, white, decorative box with gold spots, the terrarium that features gold accents, and the pretty glass vases - the hints of metallics really shine nicely here. Love this color combo for a bathroom or guest room. 

Have you gotten a chance to check out the Curel® Hydratherapy Wet Skin Moisturizer yet? Let me know in the comments below! 

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Clinique Lip Pop

The Beauty Of A New Adventure With The L'Oreal LUMI Compact

I was absolutely thrilled when I was asked if I wanted to collaborate with L'Oreal again! This time, the theme was Summer Travel + Travel Makeup Tips, to help promote their new LUMI Compact! Of course, that was also really exciting for me, because we travel so much, so I have packed for lots of road trips, and have actually experienced how hard it is to stay looking cute while traveling! It's sometimes more work than at home, because you don't have your regular setup. 

Another fun fact about these photos, is that we would up shooting them while we were in the Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas area! It was absolutely gorgeous, and the place we stayed was the perfect setting for the shoot. If course, we probably had onlookers, but whatever! 

I got my hair and makeup done professionally at a cute salon in Port St. Joe, called Salt Air Beauty and Hair Salon. I met one of the two owners that day, Angela, who did such incredible work! She is so inspiring and talented, and I definitely recommend her if you are ever in the area and need literally anything done! I even got eyelash extensions (for the first time, ever), which I think added a lot to the photos. Check out our images below, and visit the Dedicated Pinterest Board, here. 

Sunday Riley - LUNA Sleeping Night Oil

I recently received a fun little sample of this incredible night time retinal oil. It's BLUE as can be, and when you rub it into your skin, it's completely clear. It does have a fragrance, but it's not overpowering, but definitely very, very floral. 

This oil is meant to be used on your skin after cleaning your face for the night. I am going to be testing it out on a sun spot that I should not have, but do, so we will see how it goes! 

Fins LUNA at Sephora! The bottle shown here is a small sample size, which Sephora is so famous for :) Check out @Sephora on Instagram, and share your favorite Sephora products!! 

More info from Sephora.com

Which skin type is it good for?
✔ Normal
✔ Oily
✔ Combination
✔ Dry
✔ Sensitive

What it is:
A next-generation retinoid oil that improves skin plumpness and helps fight the appearance of wrinkles, redness, and pores for visibly clearer, younger-looking skin. 

Solutions for:
- Wrinkles
- Firmness
- Pores

If you want to know more…
Luna Sleeping Night Oil contains high potency, purified grade lactic acid to instantly correct dullness, plump the look of lines, and exfoliate the skin. With continued use, the appearance of stubborn hyperpigmentation, imperfections, and the visible signs of aging are reduced for a healthy-looking complexion. Enhanced with licorice for brightening, it helps to clarify and correct the appearance of imperfections for immediate, smooth radiance. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This product is cruelty-free. Luna's deep blue color goes from blue to clear when it is rubbed into the skin. 

"Luna Sleeping Night Oil is my personal ‘holy grail,’ must-have product. It instantly calms and smooths my skin and I see results overnight in my fine lines and wrinkles. I'm a mother of three, I work full time, and I don't get as much sleep and exercise as a I should. Luna is my secret weapon to keep people from knowing that!”—Sunday Riley

Research results:
Proven via in-vivo testing (silicone replicas) and expert visual grading:
- Luna Sleeping Night Oil is clinically proven to improve skin radiance, fine lines, and smoothness in 4 weeks

After an independent consumer testing panel used Luna Sleeping Night Oil for 4 weeks:
- 100% felt the product absorbed well into the skin
- 96% of women felt their skin looked brighter and more radiant
- 96% of women felt their skin looked healthier and revitalized
- 92% of women felt their skintone looked more even, calmer, smoother
- 92% would recommend Luna to a family member or friend
- 88% felt their pores looked smaller
- 85% felt their fine lines and wrinkles around the forehead were visibly improved

An Adorable Gift Idea - Spin For Perfect Skin & Coffee Cacao Coconut Sugar Scrub #VPbeauty

I wanted to share a little DIY project with you, and tell you all about a wonderful Mother's Day gift idea from Vanity Planet! Keep reading to learn more about this Shabby Chic Birdcage Gift Basket, the Vanity Planet Spin For Perfect Skin, and the Vanity Planet Coffee + Cacao + Coconut Sugar Scrub. This DIY is SO easy, let's get started!!

Let's Make A Gift Basket!! 

Materials Needed -

1 birdcage, large enough to fit your gifts (I found this one at JoAnns)

Silk Flowers (I chose peonies - I used about 4-5)

Pink Paper Crinkles

Vanity Planet Spin For Perfect Skin Brush, Vanity Planet Sugar Scrub

That's it!

I filled the birdcage with paper crinkles, to make add a pop of color, and to make sure the body scrub and spin brush fit in the birdcage properly. I love how it looks. 

Top off the gifts with some silk flower heads to hide them a bit. love how well the presents fit inside of this shabby chic birdhouse. 

So, here's what is inside of this amazing gift basket. The Spin For Perfect Skin gift set comes with FOUR brush heads, which is awesome! My current spin brush is great, so this set will last w very long time. I love the addition of this larger brush head (it measures a few inches across), because it's perfect for your neck, chest, and back. I think it's a good idea to have a separate spin brush head for your face compared to the rest of your body. I also really like the pumice stone head. This is a bit more than anything I need at this point, but a lot of people would absolutely LOVE this!! Get your skin ready for summer with this awesome gift set. The sugar scrub was nice too. Read more about that below. 

Cute Gift Basket!

Below, you will see the brush head that I have on my current spin brush, as well as an even softer brush head, that might be nice around your eyes. 

Spin Brush

This Bru Coffee + Coconut Cacao Sugar Scrub contains "dead sea salt, organic kona coffee, organic olive oil, sweet almond oil, organic grape seed oil, coffee arabica seed oil, organic shea butter, and natural fragrance extracts". When I first opened it, I could instantly smell the coffee. It smells very fresh, and not only like coffee, but a very pleasant mix of sweetness as well. 

I would definitely recommend opening this over the sink or the tub, because it is a bit messy, but is very easily containable (if that makes sense...). This scrub is more oily than others I have used. I wound up needing to use another soap to fully remove it from my skin. But, it's very luscious, and I am so glad it contains almost 100% organic ingredients. That's very hard to find! 

This Essential Body Scrub "hydrates, moisturizes, and stimulates blood flow while targeting cellulite and stretch marks. It exfoliates dead skin" and smooths your skin out very nicely. 

Get Your Skin Summer-Ready With CeraVe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CeraVeSkincare #CollectiveBias

I am so excited to share a few summer skin-care tips with you. Get your skin soft, smooth, and protected with CeraVe. These products are fragrance-free, and non-irritating, which I prefer over anything else! Most of their products are also non-comedogenic, which my dermatologist recommends for absolutely any product I use. CeraVe also helps replenish the ceramides that healthy skin needs.
Get your skin in shape for summer!! #CeraVeSkincare #CollectiveBias

HOW TO GET SUMMER-READY SKIN (A TUTORIAL)

1.) Exfoliate! Now that it's almost sandals and shorts/skirts weather, you can use a simple home made or store bought sugar scrub to smooth your feet, legs, and elbows! 

2.) Clear Up Your Face! Use the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (on your face) in the shower, and use the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for your arms, back, and chest. I absolutely love the fact that these are both gentle cleansers, and have hardly any scent. 

  • CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser: Removes dirt, oil and makeup as ceramides and hyaluronic acid moisturize, soften, and help repair the skin barrier·
  • CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser: Removes dirt, oil and makeup while replenishing skin with ceramides·

3.) After the shower, pat your skin and face dry and apply a moisturizing cream. I like the pump style lid on the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. It's nice, not too oily, and eaves my skin incredibly silky smooth! I would recommend using this on arms and legs. 

- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (below): Moisturizes and helps restore the protective skin barrier, with vital ceramides.

4.) Now that most of your body is smooth and hydrated, I will stress the importance of sunscreen!! The AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion (above) is a nice, unscented, lightweight option for daily use. You can wear it under makeup, too! 

5.) Sunscreen For Your Body. This CeraVe Sunscreen (above) is SPF 50 - which is best when you will be in full sun, or if you want to increase the daily protection you are getting. And, I tried this on my face, and the Zinc is hardly there at all, and once you rub it in, it disappears. 

  • CeraVe Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50: Provides broad spectrum, lightweight sun protection plus vital ceramides·
  • CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion: Moisturizes and provides broad spectrum sun protection·

FIND THESE PRODUCTS...

And, an added bonus!! Three of the CeraVe products, mentioned in this post, are on Rollback (for only $9.97 each) at Walmart until 5/9/16

  • CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
  • CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
  • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
  • Check out the whole line of CeraVe products here. 

Find them in the sunscreen section, facial moisturizer section, and the face wash section. They may also have a few products in the lotion section. 

Get your skin in shape for summer!! #CeraVeSkincare #CollectiveBias

MORE ABOUT CERAVE

  • Developed with dermatologists, our mission is to provide advanced skincare products that do more than just moisturize the skin’s surface. CeraVe is the first and only brand to offer a full line of skin care products that contain an exclusive combination of three scientifically-identified vital ceramides. CeraVe products penetrate the skin’s surface, infuse it with moisture, and lock it in for truly long-lasting results and beautiful, healthy looking skin.
  • The patented Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) technology used in CeraVe products releases key ingredients slowly over time, allowing them to absorb into the skin to hydrate and nourish, as well as help repair, restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier. This means that CeraVe products keep working to help restore and maintain the natural protective function of the skin barrier long after you apply them, up to 24 hours after application.
  • Skin naturally contains ceramides. Over time, ceramides become depleted, leading to dry and irritated skin. CeraVe helps replenish the vital ceramides healthy skin needs. It's formulated with a unique combination of three ceramides (called 1, 3, and 6-II). Only CeraVe delivers ceramides through a patented, controlled-release technology that penetrates the skin's surface, to help rebuild the skin's protective barrier and lock in moisture all day.
Find CeraVe Around The Web:
FACEBOOK. // TWITTER. // YOUTUBE.

e.l.f. #PlayBeautifully - Makeup For Spring

Playing with makeup is so fun! This project got me out of a bit of a creative rut, because I wanted to think of a more unique way to photograph these items from e.l.f. I treated these beautiful products as if they were more like art supplies, because after all, makeup is art. 

I really love the selection of goodies they sent me this time around! My favorite items have to be the blush palette and brush (links below). The blush is very pigmented, so I would recommend patting a little off before you apply it to your cheeks. The angled face brush is the perfect angle for your cheeks, and this blush made my face glow, instantly! The lipstick is very lovely, and the color makes my lips look so beautiful. Check out my photos of these lovely products, below! What are you favorite products that e.l.f. is offering these days? What are your tried and true items? Comment below! 

e.l.f. + Lily The Wandering Gypsy
e.l.f. + Lily The Wandering Gypsy
e.l.f. + Lily The Wandering Gypsy

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e.l.f. + Lily The Wandering Gypsy
e.l.f. + Lily The Wandering Gypsy

Vanity Planet - Pure Spin Facial Brush

I cannot even describe just how soft this facial brush is! So soft that I would even feel safe using it on skin near my eyes and my most sensitive skin! My face feels extremely soft after using this brush, and I am super happy to be able to include it in my newest face washing routine. I aways use this facial brush with my new favorite face wash, Cetaphil. 

And, this facial brush is only $30!! SHOP HERE NOW. 

You still have time to order these before Valentine's Day! {Or even hint to someone that this would be a great last-minute Valentine's Day present} - And, there are three color options, and I think the black and white version would be great as a Guy Gift! 

I like that they provide THREE color options! 

So, if you are looking into refreshing and improving your facial care routine, check out the Vanity Planet brushes, here! 

Fashion & Beauty Finds For Valentine's Day

Whether you are wanting to get all cute and festive for Valentine's Day, or just want to give your sister, mom, or friend something cute for Valentine's Day, here are some awesome finds! Click the items to shop!

Help your girl keep her nails looking good!

essie Nail Polish - $8.50

essie Nail Polish - $8.50

butter London Nail Polish - $22.00

butter London Nail Polish - $22.00

TopShop Glitter Nail Polish - $4.50

TopShop Glitter Nail Polish - $4.50

And make sure she has the reddest lips of anyone in the room

Burberry Lip Gloss - $29.00

Burberry Lip Gloss - $29.00

stila Lip Gloss - $24.00

stila Lip Gloss - $24.00

Urban Decay Lip Gloss - $22.00

Urban Decay Lip Gloss - $22.00

help her keep her paycheck safe in a new wallet

Forever21 Wallet - $9.99

Forever21 Wallet - $9.99

Kate Spade Wallet - $88.00

Kate Spade Wallet - $88.00

Quilted Crossbody Purse $14.90

Quilted Crossbody Purse $14.90

make sure her hands aren't freezing this winter

Marled Mittens - $13.99

Marled Mittens - $13.99

Pinwheel Pusher Gloves - $22.00

Pinwheel Pusher Gloves - $22.00

Forever 21 Gloves - $6.99

Forever 21 Gloves - $6.99

e.l.f. Cosmetics #PlayBeautifully

I have used e.l.f. cosmetics for a long time, I love their price point, and the packaging is always so attractive! So, I wanted to share a few of their newest goodies from e.l.f. to inspire you to #PlayBeautifully! I also encourage you to check out @elfcosmetics on Instagram to see what they are up to! 

Lily The Wandering Gypsy + e.l.f. Cosmetics

So, the makeup pictured is as follows (all products from e.l.f.). I absolutely LOVE the Moisturizing Lipstick. The shade is also incredibly versatile, and has a very natural look to it. It was definitely moisturizing, which is hard to find most of the time. I think I will be picking up as many of these lipsticks as I can hold in my little hands next time I go to Target :) 

Moisturizing Lipstick in Marsala Blush ($3), Kiss It Goodbye Lip Color Remover ($3), Prism Eyeshadow in Sunset ($10), Precision Liquid Eyeliner ($3), On The Spot Blotting Papers ($5), and the Illuminating Palette ($6).  

I'm loving this moisturizing lipstick from e.l.f. in Marsala Blush. 

I'm loving this moisturizing lipstick from e.l.f. in Marsala Blush. 

Lily The Wandering Gypsy + e.l.f. Cosmetics

Find e.l.f. around the web - Instagram - Facebook - Pinterest - YouTube - Google+

Ayushi Woods Organic Lotions

I recently met the owner of a new company called Ayushi Woods. Ayushi products are awesome! They are trying to provide safe, healthy, and organic lotions, anti-wrinkle lotions, and other body products to their customers, and I love their values. 

Ayushi is offering my readers 25% Off your entire order, use coupon code lily25 at checkout. 

Ayushi is offering my readers 25% Off your entire order, use coupon code lily25 at checkout. 

Organic Lotions

For the past couple of years, I have been using primarily organic foods and products, and I am so happy I have switched!! My favorite product in the Ayushi line is the Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Lotion. Read more about it below! 

  • USDA Organic Certified
  • Completely Vegan
  • Cruelty-Free 
  • GMO-Free
  • 100% free from any Parabens, Petroleum, Formaldehyde, PEGS, artificial color or synthetic fragrance
  • No Animal Ingredients/ No Animal Testing 
  • Completely handmade
First, the Vegan Shine Lotion contains avocado oil, among lots of other natural ingredients. Upon first use of this lotion, its very nice and light. It's pretty scented, but it is definitely pleasant and natural-smelling, unlike a lot of lotions I'v…

First, the Vegan Shine Lotion contains avocado oil, among lots of other natural ingredients. Upon first use of this lotion, its very nice and light. It's pretty scented, but it is definitely pleasant and natural-smelling, unlike a lot of lotions I've tried. This lotion isn't at all greasy, and my hands still feel very soft. It's rated USDA Organic, which is awesome! 

#outfit #flatlay

I loved these  clothing items as well! Find a White Button Up (similar here), High Waisted Shorts from Pacsun (similar here), Cute Coach Wallet (similar here), Necklace from JCPenney, and Ayushi lotions! 

Outfit + Organic Lotions by Ayushi

Ayushi is the first company in the personal care industry to be the official sponsors of the Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) and helped raise over $15,000 for organic farmers in a 5k event. Learn more here.  

These Organic Body and Face Washes are the perfect size for travel if you're going somewhere for a long weekend. The Organic Sandal Body Wash has a strong sandalwood scent.

These Organic Body and Face Washes are the perfect size for travel if you're going somewhere for a long weekend. The Organic Sandal Body Wash has a strong sandalwood scent.

Here are a few of the lotions they make. Looking forward to trying out the Raspberry Almond, and the Lavender. The Anti-Wrinkle Lotion has the best scent of all of them. It's very light, like a breath of fresh air. Definitely hoping to inc…

Here are a few of the lotions they make. Looking forward to trying out the Raspberry Almond, and the Lavender. The Anti-Wrinkle Lotion has the best scent of all of them. It's very light, like a breath of fresh air. Definitely hoping to incorporate this into my daily routine! Remember, use coupon code lily25 at checkout to receive 25% off your entire order! 

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