Derma E | New Year Skin Detox

I was first introduced to Derma E a couple months ago, and quickly fell in love with all the products I was lucky enough to try for free. They recently sent me another package of goodies, in their new rebranded packaging, that are aimed at detoxifying and purifying the skin. Spoiler alert - I fell in love all over again. 

If you're new to the world of Derma E, their products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. They're also free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, petrolatum, mineral oil, artificial colors, gluten, soy and GMOs. Basically, Derma E makes some fab stuff. 

The first thing I tried out was the Purifying Daily Detox Scrub ($15.50 for 4 oz). This charcoal-colored scrub has little bits of apricot seeds to buff away impurities and dead skin. It's full of minerals and toxin fighters like seaweed to protect against pollutants and activated charcoal which absorbs impurities. It's safe to use daily, but be sure to use a light hand, as rough scrubbing on the face with this formulation could easily create micro-lacerations that damage and age the skin faster.

I really, really love this product. It just might be my new favorite face scrub. My skin felt smooth and soft but not stripped after I used it and the price is right for a products with such fabulous ingredients. I can tell you right now that this won't be my last tube of this good stuff.

The Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask ($19.50 for 1.7 oz) is a very similar product to the scrub; in fact, the two almost look identical. This mask works to detoxify the skin in two ways - firstly, with natural clays and charcoal that lift out oil and bacteria. And secondly with apricot seed powder to exfoliate away dead skin cells and dirt. 

This is a quick mask - apply it to the skin, let it sit for five minutes (and it'll look dry like the picture above) and you're done! The texture is gritty, so when washing, you can massage it gently in to the skin for extra exfoliation and cleansing. 

I really enjoy using a charcoal mask every week or two to help purge my skin, especially when I feel a break out coming on. This is one of the best that I've tried and I think it's worth every penny. My skin feels clean, soft and free of gunk after using this.  

I'd highly recommend both of these products if you're someone prone to breakouts our if you're just looking to get rid of impurities or rough patches. The ingredients are pure, they actually work and the price is mid-range. 

Derma E is available online at dermae.com and at Target. Purchases support global communities and the environment.

Derma E | New Packaging Reveal!

Derma E has long been a brand I've seen people talk about, but I've never tried it. It's not sold anywhere around me, and if I'm being totally honest, I found the packaging cheap and I wasn't sure if it was a reflection of the brand. So fast forward to a month or so ago, I was offered the chance to try out a couple Derma E products, especially because they are rebranding and want people to see their new design. I practically wanted to jump for joy, because the environmentally-friendly/organic-loving skincare freak in me can so get behind the Derma E brand, and now the Marketing professional in me can stop being a chump and get over my distaste for their packaging and branding. Trivial I know, but I work in the marketing field, for goodness sake! I get picky about weird things like that - even when I KNOW I would like the products!

I was sent the Derma E Hydrating Day Cream in the old packaging, and the Hydrating Night Cream in the new redesigned packaging. I don't think you need to be a marketing professional to see just how much the aesthetics have improved...

Ok, let's back up a little bit and talk about Derma E as a brand. I so love what they stand for. Their mission states that they're committed to creating products that are healthy, good for your well-being and good for the natural environment. Their products are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and free of parabens, SLS, petrolatum, mineral oil, artificial colors, gluten, soy and GMOs. As they've rebranded, their mission has stayed the same and their products haven't changed either - they just decided to give themselves a face lift. 

If you look through these pictures, you can see the big upgrade! On the left is the old packaging, and on the right is the face lift! I absolutely adore the new packaging - I think it looks classy, elegant and actually looks more "natural". I think that's what peeved me so much about the old packaging - it didn't convey that the brand cared about good ingredients and the environment. The new frosted glass, lighter blue, and simpler logo convey a more natural brand. I have to imagine they did some crowd sourcing to see exactly what people thought about their new look before rolling it out, because it really is spot on design!

All packaging aside, the products themselves are wonderful, too! I have been using the Hydrating Day and Night Creams (each $29.50 for 2 oz) for the last couple weeks and my skin has absolutely loved them. I have normal to combo skin that's been changing almost daily since having a baby (hormones gone crazy!), and this has worked for me when my skin has been drier and even on days when I'm an oil factory. 

Both the day and night cream have hyaluronic acid to help plump up the skin and retain moisture. The day cream works great under makeup and the night cream is a little bit thicker to really nourish the skin as you sleep. Both are lightly scented, nothing that lingers and nothing offensive that attacks your nose.

If the nearly $30 price tag turns you off, consider for a moment just how much product you get. You get 2 whole ounces  - that's a lot of product! These will easily last me three months or more, plus the ingredients are pure and natural and the packaging is nice sturdy glass. All pluses! 

The newly rebranded Derma E line (seen above in its entirety) will roll out now through March 2017. You can find Derma E products at Ulta, Whole Foods, CVS, local co-ops, and other stores, as well as at dermae.com!

What are your thoughts on their packaging face lift? Do you think it looks more natural? Let me know! 

Herbal Choice Mari Organic Facial Scrub

Exfoliation is so important for your face (and skin, too, but that's a post for a different time!). It helps your skin turn over and regenerate new cells, and it helps clear up clogged pores. I choose to exfoliate my face a few times a week and I love how soft, smooth, and healthy it makes my skin feel. Recently, I've been putting the Herbal Choice Marie Organic Facial Scrub to the test.

This scrub is a very intense, rough sugar scrub. This is not for the faint of heart. If you like a really deep, gritty scrub that needs to be used with care - look no further. If you prefer soft exfoliation, this isn't for you. Personally, I like an intense exfoliation, even when it's borderline bad for my skin. 

The ingredients for the Herbal Choice Mari scrub can't be beat - organic brown sugar, organic vegetable glycerin, natural sea salt, organic grape seed powder, organic olive oil, organic shea butter, kaolin clay, organic geranium oil, organic sweet orange oil. If you like to keep it natural, look no further than this!

This scrub is vegan and free of chemicals, gluten, surfactants, SLS, detergent, soy and corn. It's also cruelty-free. The packaging is gorgeous, high-quality bio-energy glass packaging. Be careful not to shatter this all over your shower floor if you like to exfoliate in the shower!

The scent of this scrub is very herbal. I don't mind it at all, and if you're a fan of the scent of essential oils, chances are you'll love this. 

To use, take just a dime sized amount and rub it gently on your face. Don't massage it in too hard, this could easily scratch your face or create micro-lacerations if not used with care. Rinse when complete. I can feel the soothing oils in this scrub when I rinse it away and my skin feels clear of any dead skin or product build up. 

Overall, I enjoy this scrub. It might be better used as a body scrub because of how intense it is, but I'll continue to use it. It's affordable, natural, and effective and I'd definitely recommend checking it out. 

You can purchase your own Herbal Choice Mari Organic Facial Scrub for $15.95 (4.4 oz) from Nature's Brands.

GÖTZ Bad Ischl Facial Tonic

I went a good stretch of time where I didn't use a toner in my skincare routine. It seems kind of pointless, right? That was my thinking at least, and boy was I wrong. A toner helps get rid of any remaining dirt on your face and it also helps the products you put on after sink in better to the skin. For the last couple years, I haven't been without a toner and it's now an essential part of my skincare routine. 

For the last couple weeks I've been trying out the Gotz Bad Ischl Oxygen Facial Tonic as my toner. This is a 100% organic and natural product, free of parabens, alcohol, and fragrances. It's also cruelty-free. It's made with Bad Ischl thermal water (which contains oxygen, minerals and trace minerals) Edelweiss, daffodils, grass and other plant extracts. 

The Gotz tonic is specially made for oily and blemished skin, as it aims to reduce oil, soothe redness and minimize spots, blackheads and enlarged pores. 

To use, spray the product on to a cotton round and wipe it evenly on face and neck after cleansing. As you can see, the product does show a bit of color on the cotton round, but it doesn't appear on the face. Apply serum and moisturizer following application of the toner. 

I do like this product, and I especially like that it's formulated with high quality, organic ingredients. My one gripe is that it smells kind of strange. In the bottle it smells like tea, but when it's diffused through the spray nozzle, it takes on this weird "feet" smell to me. Call me crazy. It doesn't linger, thankfully, so it's not really something that turns me completely off to using it.

I haven't noticed it clearing my blemishes any faster than normal, but it's hard to really know it's effectiveness in that arena as my skin is still balancing out hormonally since having a baby. My skin has also been far more dry since having my son, so I also can't speak to it's oil-reducing properties. What I do know that it's refreshing, natural and feels nice. Would I purchase it again? Probably not, because it's quite expensive for the amount of product you get (2 oz) and this girl shops on a budget! 

If you're looking for an all natural toner to test out and the price doesn't spook you, you can purchase the Gotz Bad Ischl Facial Tonic on Amazon for $35 here.

Farmacy Honey Potion

I have been so intrigued by the Farmacy brand and have been itching to try out some of their products. I love their branding and their all natural approach, and I was so excited to get the chance to test out their Honey Potion face mask. 

Farmacy has just launched a line of honey products, and this mask is their debut product. It's a warming face mask formulated with honey (surprise, surprise!), bee propolis for healing, and royal jelly which helps the skin look younger. This mask promises to nourish the skin and make it look glowy and smooth.

This mask is thick like honey, and its sticky when applied. Once applied, you're supposed to massage it in to the skin for a minute or two until it turns white and heats up. You can really feel it warm up and start to get to work. It needs to stay on for 10-15 minutes and then you wash it off to reveal younger, more hydrated skin.

This mask feels so nice on the skin. You really can feel it moisturizing and detoxifying. I love that the ingredients are pure and natural and they actually help achieve great results. I noticed my skin feeling more hydrated and plump after I used this. 

Another bonus? The jar it comes in is ingenious. It's a very sturdy glass jar, and the top is magnetic so the metal spatula to scoop out the sticky mask never gets lost! I think you're definitely getting your money's worth when it comes to both packaging and product alike. 

Another cool thing that I can totally get behind is that Farmacy donates $1 for every bottle of Honey Potion sold to City Growers, a non-profit that educates kids about where food comes from, health and sustainability, which includes teaching them the importance of bees in pollinating and producing honey. 

Farmacy's Honey Potion isn't cheap, ringing in at $56 for 4.1 oz. You can purchase it at Farmacybeauty.com and on Sephora's website. However, like I said before, I feel like you get what you pay for and the quality is definitely there.

I would highly recommend checking this out if you need an extra boost of hydration to your skin and you enjoy masking. I'm so impressed with this product and I can't wait to try more of Farmacy's skincare line. 

Shir-Organic Skincare

I try to keep my skincare natural. I like products that are formulated with good, clean ingredients, so naturally when Shir Aesthetics reached out to me to see if I wanted to try some of their products, I couldn't say no. 

They sent me a sampling of their Shir-Organic line and I loved trying out the products! This is only a handful of what they carry, so if you don't see something fit for your skin's needs here, make sure to check out their website here.

Here's what they sent me...

• Pure Algae Soothing Gel - Provides hydration and soothing for sensitive or irritated skin. Also fortifies skin against environmental stresses. Reduces redness and inflammation, encourages skin renewal and soothes.

• Pure Revitalizing Pomegranate Serum - Helps skin regenerate itself, reduces signs of aging and moisturizes. Contains high levels of vitamin C to help prevent cell damange. Perfect for mature, dry and aging skin. This smelled really good and felt nice on my skin.

• Pure Eucalyptus Serum - Cleans and heals inflammation with its antibacterial properties. Won't clog pores or feel greasy, and will also moisturize the skin. Tightens pores, balances oil production and reduces acne breakouts. I really liked this and would consider purchasing a full size.

• Pure Red Lava Mineral Mask - Helps skin prone to break outs by absorbing oil and treating breakouts with salicylic acid. Calms and heals the skin.

• Pure Mango Butter Mask - Made for dry or dehydrated skin, mango butter and pulp work to enhance the skin's natural moisture barrier. Makes skin supple and improves elasticity. It's very hydrating on the skin. 

• Pure AHA Treatment Scrub - Both a physical and "chemical" exfoliant, this product works to slough away dead skin. AHAs help other products absorb in to the skin, so any treatments used following will sink in better. I loved this scrub and would love to have it in a full size. 

• Pure Avocado Moisturizer - Ideal for those with dry and dehydrated skin, this moisturizer penetrates the skin, helping provide smoother, softer skin. Also protects against free radicals and signs of aging. 

• Pure Sugarcane Microderm Peel - Helps get rid of tired dead skin for a more youthful appearance. Hydrates and evens out skin tone. Stimulates collagen production to plump the skin. 

• Pure Coconut Oatmeal Cleanser - Removes dead skin cells and strengthens skin with coconut oil. Gently cleanses, hydrates and prevents signs of aging.

• Pure Eucalyptus Cleanser - Deeply cleanses and disinfects the skin without causing dryness. Soothes and relieves irritation. This was really nice and good for those who suffer from acne.

• Pure Grapefruit Moisturizer - Improves collagen production for smoother looking skin. Helps clarify, heal, hydrate, tone and prevent blemishes. Balances oil production and reduces the effect of free radicals. I really enjoyed using this moisturizer and would consider purchasing it. It smells great!

If you prefer your skincare to be made with quality, natural ingredients, I'd highly recommend checking out Shir-Organics. The products smell great, work well and aren't loaded with gross chemicals. 

Oz Naturals | Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser

It's no secret, I like to keep my skincare simple and as healthful as I can for my skin. By that I mean, no unnecessary chemicals or harsh ingredients that aren't good for your skin. I also like to experiment with different skincare items that fit that bill, so I was excited to get the chance to try the Oz Naturals Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser. 

This face cleanser is free of parabens, alcohol and sulfates. It is filled with good stuff for your skin like organic rosehip oil, ocean minerals, and vitamin E. These ingredients aim to gently cleanse the skin and naturally unclog pores. 

Here's the full list of ingredients: 

Overall, I like this face wash. It's very basic, and it doesn't strip my skin. It's good for day or night washing, after a full face of makeup. As you can see above, it's clear and it doesn't really have a smell. I like that the ingredients are mostly natural and good for the skin. 

One con is this stuff will burn your eyes. At night when I was my face, I usually like to rub in my face wash in front of a mirror, but if I even opened my eyes when I was massaging this in to my face, my eyes burned like crazy. I don't know what in this stings so bad, but it's not cool. Because of this, I'm not sure I'd buy it again, but if you like the ingredients and don't mind keeping your eyes shut tight while washing, buy away! 

You can purchase this face wash on Amazon for $22.49 (4 fl oz.)

Yes to Coconut | Hydrate & Restore

You already know, I love Yes To products. It's easy to get behind a brand that offers affordable, quality naturally-derived products. I was so thrilled when they contacted me about trying out some of their new products from their coconut line, and I have to say - this line is awesome! 

Yes To's coconut products aim to hydrate the skin, and when using all three of these products, I can bet you'll notice your skin holding its own against the dry winter weather. I was sent the Ultra Hydrating Facial Mask ($15.99 for 2 oz), the Ultra Hydrating Creme Cleanser ($9.99 for 4 oz) and the Ultra Hydrating Facial Souffle Moisturizer ($14.99 for 1.7 oz).  I'm not crazy about coconut-scented products, but all of these are scented very very lightly and they don't smell like fake disgusting coconut - they smell like a real, refreshing just-chopped coconut. And it's quite nice to use something so tropical in the dead of winter. 

Let's go in order of what you'd use, first to last. To start things off, let's chat about the Creme Cleanser. This is a very gentle, milky face wash formulated with coconut oil. Coconut oil can do so many good things for your skin: it smooths, retains moisture, prevents against premature aging of the skin, plus it's antimicrobial so it'll kill any bacteria on your skin. So, with all that in mind, this is a fabulous cleanser! I like to use it in the morning to refresh my face and get rid of any sleep-grime. 

The Facial Mask is a quick 10-minute treatment specifically for moisturizing the skin. It's made up of coconut oil, avocado oil, jojoba seed oil and natural clay to detoxify. It dries without making your face feel tight and squeaky. After washing it off, my face really did feel nourished and hydrated. 

My favorite of the three products is the Facial Souffle Moisturizer. It's whipped and fluffy, and despite how nervous I was to smear a coconut-oil based moisturizer on my face before applying makeup, I can tell you it's not greasy in the slightest! I haven't stopped using this since I received it, both day and night! It's become a fast favorite. 

I really have enjoyed using all of these skincare items, and I'd definitely recommend giving them a try to if you have dry or combo skin that needs an extra boost of moisture. Find Yes To products at Target and online at yestocarrots.com. 


Have you tried any of these products? Let me know! 

Michael Todd | Intensive Cream Lip Treatment

It's no secret - ya'll know I'm a big Michael Todd fan. (Didn't know? See what I mean here and here) Their all natural products agree with my skin and have been long standing favorites of mine. I know there's a lot of YouTube + beauty blog hype about Michael Todd, but I can promise you it's all legit. Full disclosure: Michael Todd sends me a lot of products to try, but nearly all of what they've sent me, I've also bought myself (even before it was sent to me).

Anyway, today I'm talking about the Michael Todd Intensive Cream Lip Treatment, a product totally new to me. The main goal of this lippie? To ward off signs of anti-aging on your lips. Seems kind of crazy, right? But hey, who wants wrinkly, indented lips that don't hold lipstick?! Not me.

The ingredients in the product are good, and all vegan! The key ingredients are what's worth looking at more extensively. Soluble collagen: a protein naturally found in the skin, plumps and smooths the appearance of fine lines in the skin. Hyaluronic Acid: Naturally occurring molecule, attracts water to the skin's surface to plump with the body's own moisture. Actimp: peptide blend extracted from the White Lupine Flower, restores elasticity and firmness, proven to increase collagen production by 95% in 10 days. Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice: Soothes, heals, and has anti-inflammatory properties. 

This is a very slippery, thin lip cream that smells citrusy and feels wet on the lips. It's not intensely hydrating and doesn't last too long on my lips. For that reason, I like to put it on when I'm getting ready in the morning just for something slippery on my lips.

I use this, obviously, for preventative measures, as I don't have super wrinkled lips just yet. If you do have lined, aged lips, take a look at the before/after pictures on the Michael Todd website, and you'll have this thing in your cart in no time. 

Is this product essential in your skincare routine? No. Is it the best lippie I've ever used? No. Is it something I'll repurchase? Probably not. But it IS something targeted at a certain crowd with a specific skincare need - and if you fit that target, this is right up your alley. Natural, vegan anti-aging skincare that works is hard to come by, but Michael Todd knows how to make a quality product that fits the bill. 

The Michael Todd Intensive Cream Lip Treatment ($48 for 0.5 oz) can be purchased online at michaeltoddusa.com. 


Have you used anu anti-aging lip products before? Let me know what you've tried! 

Michael Todd Eye Eraser Duo

Ladies, if you're not yet using an eye cream, I don't care how old or young you are -- it's time to start. Protecting yourself from crepe-y, wrinkled, tired-looking under eyes can start at any time. And I know the perfect product to start with if you're in the market.

The Michael Todd Eye Eraser Duo is an excellent, unique under eye treatment. It's the world's first Triplex Cellular Infusion Technology, offering Sonic, Ionic and Thermal Heating. This allows for the serum to more deeply infuse in to your skin, accelerating the anti-aging, brightening results you should see.

The Intensive Cream Eye Treatment ($48 for 0.5 oz) itself is a very nice eye cream that I've quite enjoyed using. The main goal of this eye treatment is to combat signs of aging. Clinically patented ingredients aim to diminish undereye circles, reduce fluid retention under the eyes, and stimulate collagen production. Aloe Vera Leaf Juice works to soothe and hydrate the undereye area, and reduce inflammation.

Since using this eye cream, I've paid far less attention to my undereye area -- which is what I specifically look for in an eye cream, because it means it's reducing that "crepe-y" dry look that makes fine lines far more pronounced (and always attracts my attention). I've found the Intensive Cream Eye Treatment to be hydrating, and comfortable to wear under makeup and overnight.

The really cool part of this "Eye Eraser Duo" is the Eye Eraser ($89) itself, the anti-aging diffusion device. After applying the Intensive Cream Eye Treatment on your undereye area, you take the Eye Eraser and gently rub the cream until it is absorbed. The Eye Eraser gets comfortably warm, this relaxes the pore lining for maximum product absorption and stimulates circulation and generates nutrient-rich blood flow for regeneration. 

I find the slight warming and vibration to be really pleasant and enjoyable, and hey -- if it's helping keep my undereyes line-free, even better!


This exclusive bundle is only available at ULTA Beauty Stores Nationwide and ULTA.com for $89.

Carapex Day + Night Cream

I'm all aboard the wrinkle-prevention train lately, and for the past couple weeks I've brought Carapex Elastin & Collagen Day Cream and Fine Line Repair Night Cream along for the ride. I was sent these to sample, and I have to admit, I didn't have very high expectations for what they'd do for my skin, but I have to say, they've both FAR exceeded my expectations. 

First and foremost, let's start with the Elastin & Collagen Day Cream ($34.99 for 2 oz). For one, it's all natural (hooray - you know I love that!). Obviously, it's infused with elastin and collagen, two ingredients that smooth the skin, and restore youthfulness. Other great ingredients in the day cream include: natural shea butter, aloe leaf gel, grape seed oil, avocado seed oil, jojoba seed oil and vitamin E (all of which moisturize and heal the skin).

The day cream is fragrance free (love!), paraben-free, harsh chemical-free, and never tested on animals. It's a great moisturizer and is light enough to apply makeup over without any issues. Overall, this cream should plump, moisturize, soothe, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

The Fine Line Repair Night Cream ($34.99 for 2 oz) is also a natural product, free of parabens, fragrance, harsh chemicals and is never tested on animals. This cream aims to diminish signs of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as soften the skin. Much like the day cream, it has fabulous ingredients like natural shea butter, aloe vera, avocado oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and vitamin E. 

As you can see from the image above, the night cream is thicker than the day cream, but it doesn't leave my face greasy in the slightest. Each morning when I wake up, I've been so shocked by the even tone of my skin and how soft and supple my skin feels. 

So remember when I said I had low expectations of these creams? I should just slap myself. I have been FLOORED by how much my skin loves these creams. Rarely do I see any noticeable difference in my skin when I switch up products (apparently my skin is an equal opportunity tester -- only breaking out when it hates something), but I have seen an actual change in my skin's appearance. The pores on my skin are smaller, my makeup glides on with ease and looks flawless, dry patches have been healed and oil has stayed at bay. I am a freakin' believer in the combination of these two creams, and I will absolutely continue to use these when the sad day I run out of these comes. 

You can purchase these at Carapex.com or on Amazon! 

What's YOUR favorite day/night cream combo? Let me know! 

My current skincare routine | Spring 2015

It's been a while since I've done a post like this, so I thought I'd take a minute and update you on what skincare products I've been using and loving lately. Personally, I love seeing what products other people use and enjoy when it comes to skincare, so I hope you do, too!

MORNING: In the mornings, I rotate between two products.Every other day, I start with the Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser. I swear by Michael Todd skincare; I've used a handful of their products and my skin really responds well to their natural products. 

The Charcoal Detox cleanser is a scary black-colored gel, but it smells so refreshing like tea tree and other natural fragrances. The charcoal works to pull out the junk from clogged pores, and the tea tree has natural anti-aging and blemish healing properties. I love this stuff, I already have a backup to use in the future. You can now find Michael Todd products on ULTA.com and ULTA Beauty retail stores nationwide. Click here for more info. (affiliate link)  Go get you some. 

On the days I don't use the cleanser, I use the Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal facial scrub. It's really good for your skin to properly exfoliate and remove the dry, dead skin that can hang around. The exfoliating agent is wax jojoba beads that are perfectly round and even. I can't stress to you how important that is - scrubs like the St. Ives Apricot Scrub use uneven natural exfoliators that can cause damaging micro-lacerations on your skin. Not. Good. (even though I secretly love that scrub even though I know it's bad for me!) Again, like with the cleanser above, the activated charcoal works to draw out impurities and gunk from the skin - a double whammy when used in rotation with the Charcoal Detox cleanser. This can also be purchased at Ulta for $19, and you can read more and purchase it here. 

After cleansing, I tone my skin using the Kiehl's Yerba Mate Tea toner (cue the Ellis Coffee song running through my head! Holla if you know the song!) This is a really nice, gentle toner that doesn't sting my face or strip it of it's natural moisture. I THINK this might be discontinued.... so I'm sorry in advance if you can't find this for purchase any more. 

To cap off the morning routine, I use a serum and I've recently been using the beloved Hydraluron, which you've probably read about if you frequent British beauty blogs often. It's a lightweight serum formulated with the purest form of hyaluronic acid, which plumps and promotes smoother, softer skin. You can buy it at both Ulta or Walgreens in the US if you want to see what the hype is all about.

EVENING: In the evening I first remove all my makeup with a towelette or a micellar water, as well as an eye-makeup remover, and then I use the Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Cleanser with my Clarisonic Mia 2 (just re-read the description above about how amazing this cleanser is.)

After cleansing, I again, use my Kiehl's Yerba Mate Tea toner to remove any lingering traces of makeup. I then use the Lanoline Age Defying eye cream. This isn't my favorite eye cream ever, but it's not bad and I'm weird about needing to use things up. Once again, I use hydraluron in the evenings for a serum. To moisturize, I use the Tarte Maracuja Oil every other day. I love this oil because it has a high dose of Vitamin C to brighten the skin, plus it helps combat blemishes while really hydrating the skin.On the days I don't use the oil, I use the Organic Surge Overnight Sensation Night Cream. This stuff smells amazing, with a strong smell of lavender essential oil - perfect for bed time! A little goes a long way, and it makes my skin feel nice and hydrated.


And that, ladies and gentlemen, is it! This combination of products has been working really well for me to keep most blemishes and dry patches away. My skin feels soft and I feel like I've been focusing less on fine lines that are beginning to appear on my face. Let me know what your holy grail skincare items are or if you've tried anything I've mentioned!


Disclaimer: This post contains products that were sent to me, and affiliate links, however all opinions are my own. I never guarantee positive reviews - I keep it real for all my readers!

Pavay Organics

As a blogger, I test out many products - some natural, many not... but in my own daily skincare I prefer to use more natural products. And as I've switched many of my skin creams and face washes over to natural products, I've found my skin really loves the switch and has responded well to it. So naturally, I was excited when given the chance to review a slew of products by Pavay Organics.

I really like this statement from their website: "Our extraordinary line incorporates over 70% of only the best certified-organic ingredients from around the globe, and is also 97% naturally derived. These incredible ingredients are then scientifically formulated to create the best skin care products possible that meet our Organically Effective promise."

I was sent three products - their retinol eye cream, the cooling hydra-gel face mask, and their face bar for normal/oily skin. Let's get right to the goods...

My most favorite product was the Face Bar ($32 for 4 oz). This bar is made with ionite™ clay harvested in Arizona. The zinc in the clay is said to aid a multitude of skin issues, including eczema, dry skin,and acne, as well as other skin problems. I love using this as a morning cleanser to remove any oil or dirt that comes to the surface of my skin as I sleep. It has a subtle fruity scent, and it lathers nicely. You might be hesitant, thinking that a bar of "soap" is going to dry your face royally, but I can guarantee you this does the exact opposite. It cleans without drying and it leaves the skin refreshed and hydrated.

I found the Cooling Hydra Gel Mask ($44 for 4 oz) to be nice as well. This mask is formulated with vitamin E and aloe to really penetrate the skin and provide a boost of hydration. This is different than any mask I've tried, as it goes on clear and is almost liquid-like. It slowly firms up to a sticky consistency on the skin, and as it dries it has a pleasant cooling effect and it smells nicely of aloe. It did irritate my eyes slightly, and they stung on and off for about a minute, but that quickly subsided. I left the mask on for 20 minutes, and after I washed it off, my skin felt hydrated and even..

The only item I wasn't head over heels for was the Retinol firm and lift eye cream ($58 for o.5 oz). This wrinkle cream is infused with antioxidants and restorative oils, and aims to regenerate sagging skin by lifting and firming and eliminating fine lines. This cream is formulated with pure vitamin A retinol, C and E, pomegranate, sea buckthorn berry and certified organic essential oils. I think the retinol is just too strong for me, as I found my eyes burned when I applied the cream to my under-eye area. Pure vitamin A is often drying too, which unfortunately was the case for me. I have very dry under eyes to begin with, so a formula this intense just isn't meant for me. If you have oilier under-eyes or more mature skin, I think this cream could be for you.

What natural skin care items have you been using? Have you tried anything by Pavay Organics? Let me know!

Glazed Over in Radish Magazine!

I've got some exciting news to share today! I was recently approached to put my writing skills to the test for Radish Magazine, a local healthy living magazine! It's been quite some time since I've done any writing for something other than Glazed Over, or work, so I had some fun putting together my top natural products for healthy, nourished skin for Radish. If you're in to healthy living, you'll find lots to read on Radish's website. They have tons of great articles with topics like selecting seeds for your garden, juicing at home, shopping green and much more!

I had so much fun putting together some of my favorite natural products to share with all of Radish's readers, and now you! You can read the full article online, here. 

What are your favorite organic and natural products?