001. the monthly overview
Here I include a small monthly calendar (it's helpful to see the dates with days of the week!), along with space for my goals and notes. The notes section serves as a general "brain-dump" area, where I scratch down anything from ideas and special moments to songs to listen to and books to read, etc. If you find that you'd like this to be more organized, many create dedicated pages for these sorts of topics!
002. the habit tracker
On this page, I number the first vertical row with the days of the month, then write down habits I hope to develop on the right-hand side. At the end of the day, each corresponding box receives a slash if the habit was completed. I'm also sure to include a row labeled "mood," where I keep track of how I was feeling that day. (To do this, I use a self-made key that employs different colors or patterns for various moods.) Not only is this a great way to visualize progress, but it allows you to see how your mood may be affected by performing (or not performing) certain activities. For example, perhaps when the month comes to a close, I notice that on many of the days I was feeling "meh," I wasn't eating healthily or didn't create time to exercise. This provides such great insight into how you're affected by many different behaviors, and can help deepen your self-understanding and self-awareness.
I also include space for reflection to make note of any patterns or difficulties that may emerge regarding these habits.
003. the weeks
These pages provide space to write down tasks for each day of the week. I'll also use these pages to make note of anything about that day I'd like to remember, though they mostly contain to-do lists.
Other pages ideas:
- budget planner
- blog ideas/post schedule
- exercise tracker
- places to explore
- places to explore
For more inspiration, Pinterest is just a click away. Happy planning, friends! (Or rather...happy introspection and goal-setting, friends!)
Sara
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________make: minimalist bullet journal spread
7.02.2019
001. the monthly overview
Here I include a small monthly calendar (it's helpful to see the dates with days of the week!), along with space for my goals and notes. The notes section serves as a general "brain-dump" area, where I scratch down anything from ideas and special moments to songs to listen to and books to read, etc. If you find that you'd like this to be more organized, many create dedicated pages for these sorts of topics!
002. the habit tracker
On this page, I number the first vertical row with the days of the month, then write down habits I hope to develop on the right-hand side. At the end of the day, each corresponding box receives a slash if the habit was completed. I'm also sure to include a row labeled "mood," where I keep track of how I was feeling that day. (To do this, I use a self-made key that employs different colors or patterns for various moods.) Not only is this a great way to visualize progress, but it allows you to see how your mood may be affected by performing (or not performing) certain activities. For example, perhaps when the month comes to a close, I notice that on many of the days I was feeling "meh," I wasn't eating healthily or didn't create time to exercise. This provides such great insight into how you're affected by many different behaviors, and can help deepen your self-understanding and self-awareness.
I also include space for reflection to make note of any patterns or difficulties that may emerge regarding these habits.
003. the weeks
These pages provide space to write down tasks for each day of the week. I'll also use these pages to make note of anything about that day I'd like to remember, though they mostly contain to-do lists.
Other pages ideas:
- budget planner
- blog ideas/post schedule
- exercise tracker
- places to explore
- places to explore
For more inspiration, Pinterest is just a click away. Happy planning, friends! (Or rather...happy introspection and goal-setting, friends!)
Sara
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
bits and bobs worth noting
a weekend of smiles and sunshine, the latter evidenced by my now (very) rosy complexion. i wasn't able to bring my camera along, so my phone had to suffice. here is a collection of sweet moments captured in squares.
 |
| ocean grove beach |
 |
| a line of homes |
 |
| ocean grove beach |
 |
| quaint tents |
 |
| jenkinson's boardwalk |
 |
| ocean grove beach |
 |
| strollo's italian ice (mango + vanilla) |
 |
| another line of homes |
 |
| ocean grove beach on a sunnier day |
in photographs: ocean grove, nj
8.13.2018
a weekend of smiles and sunshine, the latter evidenced by my now (very) rosy complexion. i wasn't able to bring my camera along, so my phone had to suffice. here is a collection of sweet moments captured in squares.
|
| ocean grove beach |
|
| a line of homes |
|
| ocean grove beach |
|
| quaint tents |
|
| jenkinson's boardwalk |
|
| ocean grove beach |
|
| strollo's italian ice (mango + vanilla) |
|
| another line of homes |
|
| ocean grove beach on a sunnier day |
...or more accurately put: "read in the last two weeks of july." I used to adore cozying up in bed with a good book, but once I started university, the only thing I had time to read was my economics textbook--thrilling, I know. Nonetheless, I have found my way back to reading for fun, and boy how I've missed it. Here are a few of my most recent reads.
001. Shrill by Lindy West
Picture this: me, sitting on a couch at one in the morning, laughing alone in my apartment. This collection of essays by West is absolutely superb and entertaining, and it touches on some super important issues such as feminism, body image, and loss. I've been telling everyone I know to read this...you should too.
002. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
I've read a couple books by Rowell before (devoured Eleanor & Park in one sitting), and her work never disappoints. This sweet story follows a man who works the night shift at a local newspaper and is responsible for monitoring emails for any violations of company policy. He finds himself entertained by the correspondence between two female staff members in particular and begins to develop feelings for one of the gals. Charming and heartwarming (and half-written in emails if you're into that sorta thing).
003. The Assistants by Camille Perri
This is the delightful tale of Tina, an executive assistant who inadvertently finds herself in the middle of an embezzlement scheme after paying off her student loan debt with a check issued to her by "accident" from the company she works for. This story was lighthearted, amusing, and a great summer read--I whizzed through it in a couple of days and was sad it had to end!
...currently reading: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
What books have you read lately?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
read this month: july 2018
8.02.2018
...or more accurately put: "read in the last two weeks of july." I used to adore cozying up in bed with a good book, but once I started university, the only thing I had time to read was my economics textbook--thrilling, I know. Nonetheless, I have found my way back to reading for fun, and boy how I've missed it. Here are a few of my most recent reads.
001. Shrill by Lindy West
Picture this: me, sitting on a couch at one in the morning, laughing alone in my apartment. This collection of essays by West is absolutely superb and entertaining, and it touches on some super important issues such as feminism, body image, and loss. I've been telling everyone I know to read this...you should too.
002. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
I've read a couple books by Rowell before (devoured Eleanor & Park in one sitting), and her work never disappoints. This sweet story follows a man who works the night shift at a local newspaper and is responsible for monitoring emails for any violations of company policy. He finds himself entertained by the correspondence between two female staff members in particular and begins to develop feelings for one of the gals. Charming and heartwarming (and half-written in emails if you're into that sorta thing).
003. The Assistants by Camille Perri
This is the delightful tale of Tina, an executive assistant who inadvertently finds herself in the middle of an embezzlement scheme after paying off her student loan debt with a check issued to her by "accident" from the company she works for. This story was lighthearted, amusing, and a great summer read--I whizzed through it in a couple of days and was sad it had to end!
...currently reading: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
What books have you read lately?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
bits and bobs worth noting
Curled up in a chair at the library, I’m forcing myself to write this blog post. It isn't going to be well-planned or well-thought-out, but what matters is that I'm writing it. I've been spending a lot of time lately thinking about doing things, but not actually doing anything at all. If there were an award for obsessing over every detail of your life to the point of insanity, I'd have a shiny plaque hanging on my bedroom wall (or maybe I'd keep it in my closet--that's not something I imagine I'd be too keen on bragging up). But here's the kicker--I don't do much of anything to work toward this ideal life I've carefully crafted in my mind. I mean, you'd think if I were going to go through the mental effort of perfecting every nook and cranny of the person I want to be, I could be bothered to maybe—hear me out—try to work toward becoming that person. But, alas, here we are.
Blame it on how we've grown accustomed to immediate gratification, social media's unrealistic depiction of life, or maybe just my lazy tendencies, but making a change seems...tough, especially because it's not only myself I'd like to improve--I'm also trying to figure out where I fit into this puzzle of a world around me, and what I can do to improve it...
I'll be the first to admit that there have been a fair number of things that came somewhat easily to me, and I'd be lying if I said that those weren't the things that I stuck with, because why wouldn't you keep doing something that doesn't require a terrible amount of effort to be moderately decent at? But it's hard not to notice the people who are absurdly skilled and talented--and look, I know I shouldn't, but I can't help but compare myself to them.
Be it art, writing, music, comedy, photography, honestly anything (even things I'm not even remotely interested in pursuing myself), I always find myself a bit envious of the people who can do cool stuff and do it well. Don’t get me wrong--I want to celebrate your craft and what you've accomplished. Kudos to you, dude—you rock. I love seeing your watercolor paintings show up on my Instagram feed, and I'll gladly like your band's page on Facebook. Nonetheless, the tiny, jealous person in my head (that I try my darnedest to subdue) persists, screaming with outrage because she feels like she will never measure up. Here's the problem (one that is exponentially magnified by social media): we see the result, but we don't see the progress. We see the whole pie, but we don't see a slice. I see you playing Chopin at Carnegie Hall, but I don't see the hours upon hours upon hours that you've spent practicing each day since you were 5 years old. I see the portrait photograph you took of your friend, but I don't see the photos you snapped when you bought your first camera. (Wait, that's a drawing you did with colored pencils?? Are you sure that isn't a photograph??? You're kidding me.) We wind up comparing our first or second attempts with somebody’s thousandth--no wonder we feel less than. The plain and simple truth is that being good at something takes time and effort, and most often, dare I say always, we utterly underestimate this process.
So, problem solved, right? Acknowledge how much time people have put into the things that they're good at and start putting time into something you care about so you can be good at something, too! Seems easy enough. But, queue sad trombone "wah wah wah" noise, I'm still at square one. Introducing a new problem: how do I choose what I want to devote that much time to??! Ah, the beauty and the horror of a blank canvas. There are so many things I want to do and work toward, but, in a tale of epic irony, I end up working toward...nothing, because I spend so much time internally debating about on what I should spend my time. Aaaaand, what do you know, we have come full circle: too much thinking; not enough doing.
In honor of this revelation I have made about my inclination to stare at a wall and dream about the person I want to be and the things I want to do, but then make no tangible efforts to accomplish these goals, I have decided to dedicate this blog post to the motto that everyone's favorite enigma, Shia LaBeouf, so graciously reminded us of (and also Nike's slogan, but if we talk about Nike, we have to also talk about their unethical business practices, and I don't have that in me right now): “just do it.” Just freakin' do it. Start somewhere. Something is better than nothing. A baby step is better than standing still. While you're at it, share the process, because that's neat and worth celebrating, too. And with that, I just did it. I wrote this post. That doesn't mean I am now a phenomenal writer, but perhaps I'm the teeniest, tiniest bit better than I was when I was staring at a blinking cursor on a blank page. Cheers to improvement, no matter how small.
(Pictured is the Apricot Almond Tart from Tatte Bakery. Yes, I'm still swooning.)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
just do it.
7.21.2018
Curled up in a chair at the library, I’m forcing myself to write this blog post. It isn't going to be well-planned or well-thought-out, but what matters is that I'm writing it. I've been spending a lot of time lately thinking about doing things, but not actually doing anything at all. If there were an award for obsessing over every detail of your life to the point of insanity, I'd have a shiny plaque hanging on my bedroom wall (or maybe I'd keep it in my closet--that's not something I imagine I'd be too keen on bragging up). But here's the kicker--I don't do much of anything to work toward this ideal life I've carefully crafted in my mind. I mean, you'd think if I were going to go through the mental effort of perfecting every nook and cranny of the person I want to be, I could be bothered to maybe—hear me out—try to work toward becoming that person. But, alas, here we are.
Blame it on how we've grown accustomed to immediate gratification, social media's unrealistic depiction of life, or maybe just my lazy tendencies, but making a change seems...tough, especially because it's not only myself I'd like to improve--I'm also trying to figure out where I fit into this puzzle of a world around me, and what I can do to improve it...
I'll be the first to admit that there have been a fair number of things that came somewhat easily to me, and I'd be lying if I said that those weren't the things that I stuck with, because why wouldn't you keep doing something that doesn't require a terrible amount of effort to be moderately decent at? But it's hard not to notice the people who are absurdly skilled and talented--and look, I know I shouldn't, but I can't help but compare myself to them.
Be it art, writing, music, comedy, photography, honestly anything (even things I'm not even remotely interested in pursuing myself), I always find myself a bit envious of the people who can do cool stuff and do it well. Don’t get me wrong--I want to celebrate your craft and what you've accomplished. Kudos to you, dude—you rock. I love seeing your watercolor paintings show up on my Instagram feed, and I'll gladly like your band's page on Facebook. Nonetheless, the tiny, jealous person in my head (that I try my darnedest to subdue) persists, screaming with outrage because she feels like she will never measure up. Here's the problem (one that is exponentially magnified by social media): we see the result, but we don't see the progress. We see the whole pie, but we don't see a slice. I see you playing Chopin at Carnegie Hall, but I don't see the hours upon hours upon hours that you've spent practicing each day since you were 5 years old. I see the portrait photograph you took of your friend, but I don't see the photos you snapped when you bought your first camera. (Wait, that's a drawing you did with colored pencils?? Are you sure that isn't a photograph??? You're kidding me.) We wind up comparing our first or second attempts with somebody’s thousandth--no wonder we feel less than. The plain and simple truth is that being good at something takes time and effort, and most often, dare I say always, we utterly underestimate this process.
So, problem solved, right? Acknowledge how much time people have put into the things that they're good at and start putting time into something you care about so you can be good at something, too! Seems easy enough. But, queue sad trombone "wah wah wah" noise, I'm still at square one. Introducing a new problem: how do I choose what I want to devote that much time to??! Ah, the beauty and the horror of a blank canvas. There are so many things I want to do and work toward, but, in a tale of epic irony, I end up working toward...nothing, because I spend so much time internally debating about on what I should spend my time. Aaaaand, what do you know, we have come full circle: too much thinking; not enough doing.
In honor of this revelation I have made about my inclination to stare at a wall and dream about the person I want to be and the things I want to do, but then make no tangible efforts to accomplish these goals, I have decided to dedicate this blog post to the motto that everyone's favorite enigma, Shia LaBeouf, so graciously reminded us of (and also Nike's slogan, but if we talk about Nike, we have to also talk about their unethical business practices, and I don't have that in me right now): “just do it.” Just freakin' do it. Start somewhere. Something is better than nothing. A baby step is better than standing still. While you're at it, share the process, because that's neat and worth celebrating, too. And with that, I just did it. I wrote this post. That doesn't mean I am now a phenomenal writer, but perhaps I'm the teeniest, tiniest bit better than I was when I was staring at a blinking cursor on a blank page. Cheers to improvement, no matter how small.
(Pictured is the Apricot Almond Tart from Tatte Bakery. Yes, I'm still swooning.)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Every now and again I wander into Lush and am greeted promptly by the pungent scent of countless bath bombs, soaps, lotions, and potions sprinkled around the store. The story is usually the same: I'll putter around for a few minutes, dipping into an assortment of tester items, sniffing my arm, then sniffing it again and again, until I realize once more that everything smells, well, identical, because the only thing I can truly smell is the scent of the shop itself. I tend to leave empty-handed, and once I return to the outside world, I am pleased to be able to actually smell the various creams I chose to smother on my arms that day.
Lush and I have had an interesting relationship in the past--I truly want to love their products (and some of them, I do love; I'm a huge fan of Lush's Soak and Float Shampoo Bar and refuse to stop insisting that everyone ought to try it), but I haven't had the best of luck overall. I know some people swear by their skincare, but Lush and my temperamental face could never make friends. Even the products specifically targeted to those with sensitive skin seemed to cause flare-ups.So yes, blah blah blah, I've learned that Lush skincare isn't for me, but this post isn't about Lush's skincare items. This post is about the day that I decided to meander over to the perfume shelf and rub my finger in various solid perfume pots and then onto my wrist, to discover that, surprise!, I couldn't smell anything I was applying. However, once I exited the shop that particular day and gave my wrist a sniff, I halted on the sidewalk and turned around to go back inside.
The perfume is called Amelie Mae, and it is the most glorious scent my nose has had the privilege to encounter. I can't describe scents, and I'll always be a bit envious of those who have that superpower, but it smells great. Sweet and warm and like a big ol' hug, and everything I never knew I was looking for. Not the most helpful description, right? I'll let Lush do the talking:
"Take an inspired stroll through a perfume garden in full bloom. Breathe deeply and drink in a sugary bouquet of ylang ylang, rose and raspberry that calls to mind nostalgic summer days. Let this sweet, innocent perfume blossom into a candied, berry-tinged floral on your skin and see the world with renewed awe."
That's a much better description--these kind of things should be left to the professionals. This scent is also available as a solid perfume, and these little pots are awesome to toss in a purse or school bag for use on-the-go. I will say, however, that the solid perfume doesn't have the greatest staying power. The perfume, on the other hand, wowza! A couple spritzes of this puppy in the morning and you'll good to go for the entire day, especially if you spray a bit on your clothes. My sweaters usually don't get washed after each wear, and they still smell like this fragrance days and days later.
Moral of the story: check out Lush perfumes if you are in the market to pick up a new scent. (Lush's website also provides ingredient lists along with information about each ingredient--yes!)
What has been your experience with Lush products? Any favorites that you'd suggest?
With love and care,
Sara
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
an ode to amelie mae
7.13.2018
Every now and again I wander into Lush and am greeted promptly by the pungent scent of countless bath bombs, soaps, lotions, and potions sprinkled around the store. The story is usually the same: I'll putter around for a few minutes, dipping into an assortment of tester items, sniffing my arm, then sniffing it again and again, until I realize once more that everything smells, well, identical, because the only thing I can truly smell is the scent of the shop itself. I tend to leave empty-handed, and once I return to the outside world, I am pleased to be able to actually smell the various creams I chose to smother on my arms that day.
Lush and I have had an interesting relationship in the past--I truly want to love their products (and some of them, I do love; I'm a huge fan of Lush's Soak and Float Shampoo Bar and refuse to stop insisting that everyone ought to try it), but I haven't had the best of luck overall. I know some people swear by their skincare, but Lush and my temperamental face could never make friends. Even the products specifically targeted to those with sensitive skin seemed to cause flare-ups.So yes, blah blah blah, I've learned that Lush skincare isn't for me, but this post isn't about Lush's skincare items. This post is about the day that I decided to meander over to the perfume shelf and rub my finger in various solid perfume pots and then onto my wrist, to discover that, surprise!, I couldn't smell anything I was applying. However, once I exited the shop that particular day and gave my wrist a sniff, I halted on the sidewalk and turned around to go back inside.
The perfume is called Amelie Mae, and it is the most glorious scent my nose has had the privilege to encounter. I can't describe scents, and I'll always be a bit envious of those who have that superpower, but it smells great. Sweet and warm and like a big ol' hug, and everything I never knew I was looking for. Not the most helpful description, right? I'll let Lush do the talking:
"Take an inspired stroll through a perfume garden in full bloom. Breathe deeply and drink in a sugary bouquet of ylang ylang, rose and raspberry that calls to mind nostalgic summer days. Let this sweet, innocent perfume blossom into a candied, berry-tinged floral on your skin and see the world with renewed awe."
That's a much better description--these kind of things should be left to the professionals. This scent is also available as a solid perfume, and these little pots are awesome to toss in a purse or school bag for use on-the-go. I will say, however, that the solid perfume doesn't have the greatest staying power. The perfume, on the other hand, wowza! A couple spritzes of this puppy in the morning and you'll good to go for the entire day, especially if you spray a bit on your clothes. My sweaters usually don't get washed after each wear, and they still smell like this fragrance days and days later.
Moral of the story: check out Lush perfumes if you are in the market to pick up a new scent. (Lush's website also provides ingredient lists along with information about each ingredient--yes!)
What has been your experience with Lush products? Any favorites that you'd suggest?
With love and care,
Sara
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
High School Musical, remember? Anyone?
Someway, somehow, I've made it out of my first year of college alive, albeit with my fair share of scrapes and bruises along the way (mentally and emotionally speaking, although there were a couple physical wounds as well--mosh pits are no joke, people). It's taken a few weeks to convalesce after the perpetual state of stress and anxiety it felt like I was existing in for months, but I feel as though I've finally recuperated and am able to reflect on my first year of university with a clear mind. Harvard has, at times, made me absolutely crazy, severely uncomfortable, and certainly a bit mentally unhealthy. I am not the same person that I was 9 months ago, which sounds terribly cliche, but if Sara from last August came knocking at my door tomorrow, I would hardly recognize her. However, this change is unquestionably the most positive one that I have undergone. I am stronger, I am wiser, I am braver, and I'm still not done changing. This was one year; I have three more. I can't even attempt to imagine the person who will be holding her diploma with a wide grin on Commencement Day, but I excitedly anticipate gradually getting to know her as the days tick by.
It's now summer break, or it has been for nearly a month. I opted to stay on campus for the duration of summer, as I knew this break would be much more enriching if it wasn't spent at home in North Dakota. How has it been? So far so good. As of lately, I spend my days working at a library, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, people-watching from the corner of various cafes, and laughing with some of the best individuals that I have the absolute honor to call close friends.
I'm content with my summer thus far, but more than anything, I know that I truly need to use this time to work on myself. Venturing into adulthood has revealed many pieces of myself that I'd like to improve upon and shape differently. Although I've found that I'm easily able to adopt a discouraged attitude about these things, I am attempting to look at them as an opportunity to grow--not the easiest endeavor, but a necessary one. Here's to striving for continual self-improvement!
With love & care,
Sara
p.s. let this post officially mark the rebirth of my blog (again)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
what time is it? (summertime)
6.09.2018
High School Musical, remember? Anyone?
Someway, somehow, I've made it out of my first year of college alive, albeit with my fair share of scrapes and bruises along the way (mentally and emotionally speaking, although there were a couple physical wounds as well--mosh pits are no joke, people). It's taken a few weeks to convalesce after the perpetual state of stress and anxiety it felt like I was existing in for months, but I feel as though I've finally recuperated and am able to reflect on my first year of university with a clear mind. Harvard has, at times, made me absolutely crazy, severely uncomfortable, and certainly a bit mentally unhealthy. I am not the same person that I was 9 months ago, which sounds terribly cliche, but if Sara from last August came knocking at my door tomorrow, I would hardly recognize her. However, this change is unquestionably the most positive one that I have undergone. I am stronger, I am wiser, I am braver, and I'm still not done changing. This was one year; I have three more. I can't even attempt to imagine the person who will be holding her diploma with a wide grin on Commencement Day, but I excitedly anticipate gradually getting to know her as the days tick by.
It's now summer break, or it has been for nearly a month. I opted to stay on campus for the duration of summer, as I knew this break would be much more enriching if it wasn't spent at home in North Dakota. How has it been? So far so good. As of lately, I spend my days working at a library, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, people-watching from the corner of various cafes, and laughing with some of the best individuals that I have the absolute honor to call close friends.
I'm content with my summer thus far, but more than anything, I know that I truly need to use this time to work on myself. Venturing into adulthood has revealed many pieces of myself that I'd like to improve upon and shape differently. Although I've found that I'm easily able to adopt a discouraged attitude about these things, I am attempting to look at them as an opportunity to grow--not the easiest endeavor, but a necessary one. Here's to striving for continual self-improvement!
With love & care,
Sara
p.s. let this post officially mark the rebirth of my blog (again)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It's been awhile since I've written--nearly a year, actually. I can say with overwhelming confidence that this past year has been the most important year for me yet. In mid-March, near the end of my senior year of high school, my father passed away suddenly. Of course, I would never ever have chosen for this to happen, but I am grateful for the opportunities that my grief gave me to grow and learn. Reflecting back, I have become a much stronger and independent individual, and I have a greater appreciation and understanding of life--something that not many people obtain while still a teenager.
Two weeks after my father's passing, I was accepted to my dream university in Massachusetts. I have now completed my first semester, and it was unequivocally the best four months of my life. My winter break ends in a couple days, and I couldn't be more excited to return and get back into the swing of things again.
Although the bustle of my senior year of high school played a great role, one of the main reasons I stepped away from this blog was because I was questioning the direction I wanted to take it in. Although I enjoy discussing makeup, beauty, and the like, I did not want my blog to become a platform that promoted the "buy, buy, buy!" mentality. This past year, and these past few months especially, I have become much more cognizant of who I am in this great big world, and the role I would like to play within it.
With this mindset, I was able to sit down with my blog again and consider what shape I would like it to take. I've finally found a road that seems productive and purposeful, and I am excited to begin blogging again.
I still intend to blog about beauty, fashion, life, etc., but I've adopted a new motto: moments over materials; this is the message I hope to weave throughout my blog writings. I still enjoy a new pair of shoes and lipstick just as much as the next person, but I think it is extremely vital that we as consumers consume with mindfulness and intent. I have also began to pay a greater deal of attention to where products are coming from and how they are being produced. It's easy to let this slip your mind while you stroll through the aisles of Target (trust me, I know all too well), but every item you purchase has a story, and I personally have been trying to take more care in purchasing and supporting products and brands with an ethical and sustainable story. Is every item in my life responsibility sourced and produced? Absolutely not. But being aware and making small steps can make a huge difference.
Thank you for your patience. I'm thrilled to be back in front of this screen, and I couldn't be more excited to see where this new path leads.
With care & love,
Sara
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a fresh start
1.18.2018
It's been awhile since I've written--nearly a year, actually. I can say with overwhelming confidence that this past year has been the most important year for me yet. In mid-March, near the end of my senior year of high school, my father passed away suddenly. Of course, I would never ever have chosen for this to happen, but I am grateful for the opportunities that my grief gave me to grow and learn. Reflecting back, I have become a much stronger and independent individual, and I have a greater appreciation and understanding of life--something that not many people obtain while still a teenager.
Two weeks after my father's passing, I was accepted to my dream university in Massachusetts. I have now completed my first semester, and it was unequivocally the best four months of my life. My winter break ends in a couple days, and I couldn't be more excited to return and get back into the swing of things again.
Although the bustle of my senior year of high school played a great role, one of the main reasons I stepped away from this blog was because I was questioning the direction I wanted to take it in. Although I enjoy discussing makeup, beauty, and the like, I did not want my blog to become a platform that promoted the "buy, buy, buy!" mentality. This past year, and these past few months especially, I have become much more cognizant of who I am in this great big world, and the role I would like to play within it.
With this mindset, I was able to sit down with my blog again and consider what shape I would like it to take. I've finally found a road that seems productive and purposeful, and I am excited to begin blogging again.
I still intend to blog about beauty, fashion, life, etc., but I've adopted a new motto: moments over materials; this is the message I hope to weave throughout my blog writings. I still enjoy a new pair of shoes and lipstick just as much as the next person, but I think it is extremely vital that we as consumers consume with mindfulness and intent. I have also began to pay a greater deal of attention to where products are coming from and how they are being produced. It's easy to let this slip your mind while you stroll through the aisles of Target (trust me, I know all too well), but every item you purchase has a story, and I personally have been trying to take more care in purchasing and supporting products and brands with an ethical and sustainable story. Is every item in my life responsibility sourced and produced? Absolutely not. But being aware and making small steps can make a huge difference.
Thank you for your patience. I'm thrilled to be back in front of this screen, and I couldn't be more excited to see where this new path leads.
With care & love,
Sara
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Well, I'm back to talk about my skin once again - but this time, it's good news. Old Orchard Apothecary is a brand that offers a beautiful selection of skin and body care products, and I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to try out their No. 16 Oil Cleansing Cream* ($32). This is a company I haven't heard anybody else talk about in my small blogging circle, so I'm very excited to share this with you, especially because it has been so wonderful for my skin.
Before even using this product, I could appreciate the beautifully simple packaging, and its ingredient list:
butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, curcuma aromatica (wild turmeric), tocopherol (vitamin E) from non-GMO soy sources, citrus reticulata (tangerine) essential oil
6 ingredients - that's it. Even better, this product is vegan. I'm all about being a conscious consumer, and I also want to be certain that I'm putting healthy and safe products on my skin. This cleanser definitely checks all the boxes for me.
As the product description states, turmeric is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and an antioxidant, which makes this product wonderful for acne-prone skin like mine. This is a hot ingredient right now as far as skincare goes! I also suffer from severely dry skin, so using an oil cream cleanser has really helped add some life back into my complexion. I absolutely adore the scent of this product - very natural, and reminds me of orange peel.
I've been following the directions practically to a T - I take a small amount and massage it in circular motions into my skin (I've been using this immediately after I shower, so my skin is already opened up from the steam). I then lay a warm cloth over my face to give my skin the chance to really absorb the ingredients, followed by gently wiping it away. I've definitely been getting my exfoliation fix in between the gentle exfoliation from the product, as well as the exfoliation provided by the cloth while removing the product.
My face is left feeling calm and glowy. Also, between using this product and cutting dairy out of my diet, I have seen such a difference in my skin. No. 16 has also been doing a wonderful job at evening out my complexion; I immediately saw a decrease in redness. I honestly look forward to using this product each night, and it feels like a mini trip to the spa each time I use it. As long as you sufficiently remove the cleanser, there's no risk of the turmeric staining your face, and I always use a dark-colored cloth to avoid tinting my washcloths yellow. :)
My skin is finally starting to turn around, and No. 16 has majorly contributed to that. I encourage you to go check out some of Old Orchard Apothecary's products - this company has a beautiful philosophy and deserves a great deal of recognition. Let me know if you decide to try anything - I would love to hear your thoughts! :)
Sara
*sent for consideration
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Old Orchard No 16 Oil Cleansing Cream
2.11.2017
Well, I'm back to talk about my skin once again - but this time, it's good news. Old Orchard Apothecary is a brand that offers a beautiful selection of skin and body care products, and I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to try out their No. 16 Oil Cleansing Cream* ($32). This is a company I haven't heard anybody else talk about in my small blogging circle, so I'm very excited to share this with you, especially because it has been so wonderful for my skin.
Before even using this product, I could appreciate the beautifully simple packaging, and its ingredient list:
butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, curcuma aromatica (wild turmeric), tocopherol (vitamin E) from non-GMO soy sources, citrus reticulata (tangerine) essential oil
6 ingredients - that's it. Even better, this product is vegan. I'm all about being a conscious consumer, and I also want to be certain that I'm putting healthy and safe products on my skin. This cleanser definitely checks all the boxes for me.
As the product description states, turmeric is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and an antioxidant, which makes this product wonderful for acne-prone skin like mine. This is a hot ingredient right now as far as skincare goes! I also suffer from severely dry skin, so using an oil cream cleanser has really helped add some life back into my complexion. I absolutely adore the scent of this product - very natural, and reminds me of orange peel.
I've been following the directions practically to a T - I take a small amount and massage it in circular motions into my skin (I've been using this immediately after I shower, so my skin is already opened up from the steam). I then lay a warm cloth over my face to give my skin the chance to really absorb the ingredients, followed by gently wiping it away. I've definitely been getting my exfoliation fix in between the gentle exfoliation from the product, as well as the exfoliation provided by the cloth while removing the product.
My face is left feeling calm and glowy. Also, between using this product and cutting dairy out of my diet, I have seen such a difference in my skin. No. 16 has also been doing a wonderful job at evening out my complexion; I immediately saw a decrease in redness. I honestly look forward to using this product each night, and it feels like a mini trip to the spa each time I use it. As long as you sufficiently remove the cleanser, there's no risk of the turmeric staining your face, and I always use a dark-colored cloth to avoid tinting my washcloths yellow. :)
My skin is finally starting to turn around, and No. 16 has majorly contributed to that. I encourage you to go check out some of Old Orchard Apothecary's products - this company has a beautiful philosophy and deserves a great deal of recognition. Let me know if you decide to try anything - I would love to hear your thoughts! :)
Sara
*sent for consideration
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I'm always on the look out for brands that do good, which was why I was so excited that I had the opportunity to try a body butter from GLOW for a cause. If you've been reading my posts lately, you'll know how annoyingly dry my skin gets, so I'm always down to try out a new lotion here and there, and this is one I've definitely been loving.
The GLOW for a cause Body Butter in wish* contains shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower oil, making this cream jam-packed with moisture. Plus, the smell is wonderful. I seriously couldn't describe a scent for the life of me, but the website describes it as "A magical blend of sparkling light florals, white tea, and bergamot grounded by light musks."
I love how quickly it absorbs, and it leaves the skin feeling extremely soft but not greasy, which c'mon, we all know everyone is after that. This is great for post-shower, or on the bedside table as a hand cream, which is something I've been loving it for. It also comes in three different sizes: 1.3 oz, 2.5 oz, and 7.5 oz.
So, not only is this a pretty great body butter, but the brand itself is also pretty great. 5% of every purchase is donated to one of the GLOW for a cause's partner non-profit organizations. Among these are MaxFund Animal Adoption Center, a no kill animal shelter in Colorado, and The Gathering Place, a drop-in center for women, children, and transgender folks in poverty or homeless. I genuinely admire what this company does, and I hope more companies start to catch on. ;)
GLOW for a cause also makes face cream, lip balm, candles, and perfume, and I would encourage you guys to check them out if you're looking for good quality products and to give back at the same time.
Happy Sunday, I hope you had a wonderful week. Here's to a good February ahead.
Sara
*This post contains products sent in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
GLOW for a cause Body Butter
1.29.2017
I'm always on the look out for brands that do good, which was why I was so excited that I had the opportunity to try a body butter from GLOW for a cause. If you've been reading my posts lately, you'll know how annoyingly dry my skin gets, so I'm always down to try out a new lotion here and there, and this is one I've definitely been loving.
The GLOW for a cause Body Butter in wish* contains shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and sunflower oil, making this cream jam-packed with moisture. Plus, the smell is wonderful. I seriously couldn't describe a scent for the life of me, but the website describes it as "A magical blend of sparkling light florals, white tea, and bergamot grounded by light musks."
I love how quickly it absorbs, and it leaves the skin feeling extremely soft but not greasy, which c'mon, we all know everyone is after that. This is great for post-shower, or on the bedside table as a hand cream, which is something I've been loving it for. It also comes in three different sizes: 1.3 oz, 2.5 oz, and 7.5 oz.
So, not only is this a pretty great body butter, but the brand itself is also pretty great. 5% of every purchase is donated to one of the GLOW for a cause's partner non-profit organizations. Among these are MaxFund Animal Adoption Center, a no kill animal shelter in Colorado, and The Gathering Place, a drop-in center for women, children, and transgender folks in poverty or homeless. I genuinely admire what this company does, and I hope more companies start to catch on. ;)
GLOW for a cause also makes face cream, lip balm, candles, and perfume, and I would encourage you guys to check them out if you're looking for good quality products and to give back at the same time.
Happy Sunday, I hope you had a wonderful week. Here's to a good February ahead.
Sara
*This post contains products sent in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The first product I decided to pick up was the Herbalism cleanser. This is definitely unlike anything I've used before. To use, you pinch of a bit of the product and mix it with a teeny bit of water to create a paste-like consistency. I've only been using this in the shower, but I imagine it could get a bit messy at a sink.
My dry skin has really been loving this. I feel like people's top complaint with cleansers is that they strip all of the oil from the face, but this leaves my skin feeling moisturized and fresh in a way no other product has. It also contains ground almonds, which provide a light exfoliation.
Lush's Tea Tree Water is probably the item I've heard about the most. I've been spraying a few spritz on a cotton pad and using it after cleansing in the morning & night, and I think this product paired with the Herbalism cleanser has really helped clear up and prevent acne. Surprisingly, this product hasn't been very drying, either. Definitely a fan of this.
I'm super happy with my purchases, and I'm shocked to see such wonderful results so quickly. I'm excited to continue using these products and hopefully see my complexion improve even further!
Have you tried any of Lush's skincare products? What did you think?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lush Skincare | Haul & Initial Thoughts
1.23.2017
The first product I decided to pick up was the Herbalism cleanser. This is definitely unlike anything I've used before. To use, you pinch of a bit of the product and mix it with a teeny bit of water to create a paste-like consistency. I've only been using this in the shower, but I imagine it could get a bit messy at a sink.
My dry skin has really been loving this. I feel like people's top complaint with cleansers is that they strip all of the oil from the face, but this leaves my skin feeling moisturized and fresh in a way no other product has. It also contains ground almonds, which provide a light exfoliation.
Lush's Tea Tree Water is probably the item I've heard about the most. I've been spraying a few spritz on a cotton pad and using it after cleansing in the morning & night, and I think this product paired with the Herbalism cleanser has really helped clear up and prevent acne. Surprisingly, this product hasn't been very drying, either. Definitely a fan of this.
I'm super happy with my purchases, and I'm shocked to see such wonderful results so quickly. I'm excited to continue using these products and hopefully see my complexion improve even further!
Have you tried any of Lush's skincare products? What did you think?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Okay, look, I get it -- being a good person is hard sometimes. Whether it be keeping the five dollar bill you found on the sidewalk outside your local coffee shop, or not wanting to wait to hold the door for someone, sometimes it's just easier to not do the good deed. But don't fret. There's still hope. As a self-proclaimed decent person myself, I've compiled a few of my tips to help you become a more positively-contributing citizen.
001. Educate yourself. It sounds so simple, doesn't it? But with access to so much information at our fingertips, sometimes we only brush the surface. So, reader, I encourage you to dig deeper. Ask questions. Learn. We have a tendency to accept the first opinion we hear about something as the truth -- but what about the other side of the argument?
002. Share this gained knowledge with others, but do so respectfully. The second half of this suggestion is what's really important here. You are going to encounter individuals who think differently than you, and that's okay! Variance in feelings and opinions is what leads to debate, and this debate can lead to some serious change. It's okay to offer up your opinion, but always, always, always attempt to see things from alternative perspectives, and don't resort to rudeness and name-calling when people aren't willing to immediately change their outlook to align with yours.
003. Seek opportunities to help people. We're all here on this big ol' planet together, and we're all dealing with our own troubles. Do what you can to help one another; you have no idea how far a helping hand can go. Make sure to know your boundaries though -- sometimes you need to help yourself before you can help others. It's okay to put yourself first, and you should never feel ashamed about that.
004. Just be kind, dang it. Spread positivity and happiness. Ask somebody how his or her day is going, smile at your peers during passing, practice patience, and have an open mind. Try to brighten somebody's day. People are different from one another; can you imagine how boring it would be if we were all exactly the same? (Which reminds me of that episode of The Fairly Odd Parents where the whole town was composed of identical gray blob people. Does anyone else remember this? Just me? Okay.) It's simply not productive to put somebody down because they aren't the same as you, whether that be the same race, sexuality, gender, etc. Acceptance is powerful. And you just might find that not letting these minor differences bother you makes you a bit happier in the long run, too.
Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, and remember to choose love.
How To | Be a Decent Human Being
1.08.2017
Okay, look, I get it -- being a good person is hard sometimes. Whether it be keeping the five dollar bill you found on the sidewalk outside your local coffee shop, or not wanting to wait to hold the door for someone, sometimes it's just easier to not do the good deed. But don't fret. There's still hope. As a self-proclaimed decent person myself, I've compiled a few of my tips to help you become a more positively-contributing citizen.
001. Educate yourself. It sounds so simple, doesn't it? But with access to so much information at our fingertips, sometimes we only brush the surface. So, reader, I encourage you to dig deeper. Ask questions. Learn. We have a tendency to accept the first opinion we hear about something as the truth -- but what about the other side of the argument?
002. Share this gained knowledge with others, but do so respectfully. The second half of this suggestion is what's really important here. You are going to encounter individuals who think differently than you, and that's okay! Variance in feelings and opinions is what leads to debate, and this debate can lead to some serious change. It's okay to offer up your opinion, but always, always, always attempt to see things from alternative perspectives, and don't resort to rudeness and name-calling when people aren't willing to immediately change their outlook to align with yours.
003. Seek opportunities to help people. We're all here on this big ol' planet together, and we're all dealing with our own troubles. Do what you can to help one another; you have no idea how far a helping hand can go. Make sure to know your boundaries though -- sometimes you need to help yourself before you can help others. It's okay to put yourself first, and you should never feel ashamed about that.
004. Just be kind, dang it. Spread positivity and happiness. Ask somebody how his or her day is going, smile at your peers during passing, practice patience, and have an open mind. Try to brighten somebody's day. People are different from one another; can you imagine how boring it would be if we were all exactly the same? (Which reminds me of that episode of The Fairly Odd Parents where the whole town was composed of identical gray blob people. Does anyone else remember this? Just me? Okay.) It's simply not productive to put somebody down because they aren't the same as you, whether that be the same race, sexuality, gender, etc. Acceptance is powerful. And you just might find that not letting these minor differences bother you makes you a bit happier in the long run, too.
Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday, and remember to choose love.
I am not the same person I was a year ago -- and thank goodness for that. 2016 was filled with so many memorable experiences: traveling to California, meeting some of my best friends, starting my final year of high school, and more. I have learned so much about the person I am and the person I want to be, and it's clear to me just how much I've grown in the past year, especially mentally.
I've never really been one to make New Year's Resolutions. I believe that every day, every hour, every minute, you can make a change. You can have a clean start whenever you may choose. But with that being said, there are some things that I would like to accomplish this year.
Explore
Later this year, I will be moving away from home and beginning college. Being from a small town has its perks, but there is so much I have yet to see or experience. I can't wait to see what's really out there, and I hope to learn more and more about myself along the way. This also includes stepping out of my comfort zone and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise.
Setting Boundaries
I tend to be a very forgiving person by nature, and I'm alright with that. I don't see any reason to hold on to negative thoughts or emotions toward something or someone. But just because you forgive doesn't mean you have to forget. I need to surround myself with individuals who are adding something to my life, not continually taking something away.
Being Happier and Healthier
Ah yes, here it is. The classic "get-my-butt-to-the-gym" resolution. But really. I know implementing proper exercise in my life would help me lead a much healthier lifestyle. Doing hobbies that make me happy also falls under this goal as well; I hope to spend more time playing guitar, reading, writing, cooking, and taking photographs. Sometimes we get to preoccupied with our day-to-day obligations that we forget to take time to do things we really enjoy.
It's only 3 things. I can handle that, right?
What are your resolutions/goals for 2017?
Saying Goodbye to 2016
1.01.2017
I am not the same person I was a year ago -- and thank goodness for that. 2016 was filled with so many memorable experiences: traveling to California, meeting some of my best friends, starting my final year of high school, and more. I have learned so much about the person I am and the person I want to be, and it's clear to me just how much I've grown in the past year, especially mentally.
I've never really been one to make New Year's Resolutions. I believe that every day, every hour, every minute, you can make a change. You can have a clean start whenever you may choose. But with that being said, there are some things that I would like to accomplish this year.
Explore
Later this year, I will be moving away from home and beginning college. Being from a small town has its perks, but there is so much I have yet to see or experience. I can't wait to see what's really out there, and I hope to learn more and more about myself along the way. This also includes stepping out of my comfort zone and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise.
Setting Boundaries
I tend to be a very forgiving person by nature, and I'm alright with that. I don't see any reason to hold on to negative thoughts or emotions toward something or someone. But just because you forgive doesn't mean you have to forget. I need to surround myself with individuals who are adding something to my life, not continually taking something away.
Being Happier and Healthier
Ah yes, here it is. The classic "get-my-butt-to-the-gym" resolution. But really. I know implementing proper exercise in my life would help me lead a much healthier lifestyle. Doing hobbies that make me happy also falls under this goal as well; I hope to spend more time playing guitar, reading, writing, cooking, and taking photographs. Sometimes we get to preoccupied with our day-to-day obligations that we forget to take time to do things we really enjoy.
It's only 3 things. I can handle that, right?
What are your resolutions/goals for 2017?
I am much too often visited by the acne fairy, (like the tooth fairy, except is never welcome). And after my many failed attempts to be rid of this horrible creature, I was willing to try anything. That's how I insanely justified spending $150 (Cyber Monday sale) on a skin-cleaning device -- something I would normally never even consider.
The LUNA Facial Cleansing Brushes by FOREO have made quite the impression on many users, and I figured at this point that I didn't have much left to lose. So, I bit the bullet and bought the LUNA 2 for Sensitive Skin.
- Very, very dry (like get-out-of-the-shower-and-can't-move-my-face dry.)
- Also very oily -- gotta love combination skin!
- Extremely acne prone
- Sensitive
Basically, this little device is covered in small silicone bristles that vibrate super fast to clean the skin by using something called "T-Sonic" technology. There are also ridges on the back intended to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but this is a feature I haven't really used.
 |
| Silicone bristles feat. a piece of fuzz. |
 |
| My camera would not focus on the back, but here are the ridges. |
What's Included
- Device
- Travel pouch
- Charger
- (Instructions but pfft.)
How I Use
I use this device twice a day: in the morning and night. I begin by splashing my face with water and dabbing on my facial cleanser (I use CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser), and then I move the device in small circles around my face. There is an automated timer that pauses the vibrations every 15 seconds so you know when to switch to another part of your face. There are 4 cycles of 15 seconds, providing a full minute of timed facial cleansing. Then I just rinse my face and pat dry (and rinse and pat dry the device as well)!
What I Like
- Very easy to keep clean. Keeping facial cleaning devices clean is a extremely important, and unlike the Clarisonic brush heads, the silicone bristles of the LUNA do not collect and grow bacteria.
- Provides skin with a gentle, yet deep clean. I was concerned about being able to clean small areas of my faces, such as the sides of my nose, but by maneuvering the device, you can reach everywhere.
- The texture of my skin has greatly improved within weeks of using. You can tell after the first use how much softer your skin is.
- Rechargeable, and one full charge lasts for months and months.
- Although it didn't miraculously clear my face demons overnight (a girl can dream), I have seen a decrease in new acne and my face has slowly been clearing up.
- Hasn't not caused any skin irritation.
- Waterproof. Use it in the shower!
- Comes in 4 different styles -- one for every skin type.
What I Don't Like
- Quite expensive for a gal on a budget. I have to keep reminding myself that it's less costly than the alternative popular cleaning devices, though. (The Clarisonic requires you to repurchase brush heads ever few months! Those suckers aren't cheap.)
- This product claims to have 12 different vibrating "powers," but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do this? Maybe the settings are so close to one another that I can't tell the difference, but this is a feature I can't speak on.
Price and Availability
The LUNA 2 retails for $200 and can be purchased online or in stores such as Sephora and Ulta.
I am very happy I decided to make this purchase. If you are looking to add a facial-cleaning device into your skincare routine, I would definitely recommend this one. It is less abrasive, more affordable, and more sanitary than the Clarisonic, and provides the skin with a deep cleaning, leaving behind a more even and radiant complexion.
What are your thoughts about facial-cleaning devices?
*this post contains affiliate links
*this post contains affiliate links
FOREO LUNA 2 | Sensitive Skin
12.30.2016
I am much too often visited by the acne fairy, (like the tooth fairy, except is never welcome). And after my many failed attempts to be rid of this horrible creature, I was willing to try anything. That's how I insanely justified spending $150 (Cyber Monday sale) on a skin-cleaning device -- something I would normally never even consider.
The LUNA Facial Cleansing Brushes by FOREO have made quite the impression on many users, and I figured at this point that I didn't have much left to lose. So, I bit the bullet and bought the LUNA 2 for Sensitive Skin.
- Very, very dry (like get-out-of-the-shower-and-can't-move-my-face dry.)
- Also very oily -- gotta love combination skin!
- Extremely acne prone
- Sensitive
Basically, this little device is covered in small silicone bristles that vibrate super fast to clean the skin by using something called "T-Sonic" technology. There are also ridges on the back intended to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but this is a feature I haven't really used.
|
| Silicone bristles feat. a piece of fuzz. |
|
| My camera would not focus on the back, but here are the ridges. |
What's Included
- Device
- Travel pouch
- Charger
- (Instructions but pfft.)
How I Use
I use this device twice a day: in the morning and night. I begin by splashing my face with water and dabbing on my facial cleanser (I use CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser), and then I move the device in small circles around my face. There is an automated timer that pauses the vibrations every 15 seconds so you know when to switch to another part of your face. There are 4 cycles of 15 seconds, providing a full minute of timed facial cleansing. Then I just rinse my face and pat dry (and rinse and pat dry the device as well)!
What I Like
- Very easy to keep clean. Keeping facial cleaning devices clean is a extremely important, and unlike the Clarisonic brush heads, the silicone bristles of the LUNA do not collect and grow bacteria.
- Provides skin with a gentle, yet deep clean. I was concerned about being able to clean small areas of my faces, such as the sides of my nose, but by maneuvering the device, you can reach everywhere.
- The texture of my skin has greatly improved within weeks of using. You can tell after the first use how much softer your skin is.
- Rechargeable, and one full charge lasts for months and months.
- Although it didn't miraculously clear my face demons overnight (a girl can dream), I have seen a decrease in new acne and my face has slowly been clearing up.
- Hasn't not caused any skin irritation.
- Waterproof. Use it in the shower!
- Comes in 4 different styles -- one for every skin type.
What I Don't Like
- Quite expensive for a gal on a budget. I have to keep reminding myself that it's less costly than the alternative popular cleaning devices, though. (The Clarisonic requires you to repurchase brush heads ever few months! Those suckers aren't cheap.)
- This product claims to have 12 different vibrating "powers," but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do this? Maybe the settings are so close to one another that I can't tell the difference, but this is a feature I can't speak on.
Price and Availability
The LUNA 2 retails for $200 and can be purchased online or in stores such as Sephora and Ulta.
I am very happy I decided to make this purchase. If you are looking to add a facial-cleaning device into your skincare routine, I would definitely recommend this one. It is less abrasive, more affordable, and more sanitary than the Clarisonic, and provides the skin with a deep cleaning, leaving behind a more even and radiant complexion.
What are your thoughts about facial-cleaning devices?
*this post contains affiliate links
*this post contains affiliate links
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