beauty
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
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
