Best of 2013

I've gotta say 2013 has been pretty good to me. I'm sad to see it come to a close, but I'm ready to take on whatever 2014 has in store for me! It's going to bring adventures in Paris, hopefully another half-marathon, and lots of hurling. So without further ado, here is the Best of 2013 according to me:
(warning: this is the longest blog post ever)

Skincare: 

La Roche Posay Gel Cleanser
I came across an end cap at my Target featuring La Roche Posay and was super pumped because I'd always wanted to try it. It was pretty hard to come by in the States until recently and snatched it up the moment I saw it. It's super gentle, smells clean and fresh, and has made my skin so smooth and soft. Definitely a top pick for 2013.

Korres Rose Sleeping Mask + Vitamin C
This has been a longtime favorite of mine and I'm pretty sure I've purchased at least 3 of those glorious little pots. It lasts forever and is a miracle worker on dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Bonus points because it smells lovely.

Coconut Oil
I've been using coconut oil as my daily/nighttime moisturizer and my skin thanks me for it. It smells like macaroons and, as I've said before, is a multi-purpose product.

Neutrogena Hand Cream
This is another multi-purpose product as it doubles as an ultra-moisturizing hand cream as well as an amazing lip balm. If you've never tried it out I highly recommend it.

Neutrogena Moisture Wrap Body Lotion
I've had this lotion for quite some time, but rediscovered it this year. Netrogena is my favorite skin care line because they create gentle, but hard working products. It's does wonders for dry elbows and legs.

Makeup:

Josie Maran Coconut Water Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise
I've spoken about this before, too. It's such a light and natural blush that gives an effortless flush. It's easy to swipe on without a brush and I will have to repurchase this quite soon because I've flown through it.

Wet & Wild Mellow Wine Blush
This blush is my favorite for fall and winter time. It's a nice, soft peachy color with a bit of shimmer. It's not quite "mellow wine" as the name suggests, but I love it for a winter flush.

L'Oreal Voluminous Eyeliner
I love this soft kohl liner because I've started to line my waterline on a daily basis. It's easy to flick out for a simple cat eye. I think this will always be my favorite liner. I've tried so many, but I've never loved anything more than this!

Wet & Wild Eyebrow Pencil
I'd never filled in my brows until this year and I've finally seen the light. It's not necessarily the best thing ever because now I've added a step in my makeup application, but boy, does it make a difference! Eyebrows really frame your face! I have such light brows that I'd never realized it would make me look complete.

Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Honey
I'm not much of a lip product person, unless we're talking chapstick, but I really love this stain. It's natural enough to keep me feeling comfortable, but it adds a hint of something special if I want to dress up an outfit.

Maybelline Colossal Lashes
I'm fickle with mascara, but I've been sticking with this one during 2013. It gives my lashes a nice curl and it's a good middle ground between falsies and au natural.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows in Tough as Taupe, Barely Branded, and Bad to the Bronze
These shadows were a hit for 2013 and there's no doubt I jumped on the bandwagon like everyone else. I love the combination of the above shadows, but the great thing is that they can all stand alone as well. I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to eyeshadows, but I think these are pretty great.

Benefit Sunbeam Highlighter
I don't use highlighter on a daily basis, but when I do, I reach for Sunbeam because it is a golden shimmer that adds some warmth to my face. Love it and will keep it going in 2014 as well.

Neutrogena Blemish Concealer
Perfection. There's just not much else I can say about this concealer. For a brief (very, very brief) period in 2013 I thought I'd found a new love, but I came running back to my favorite concealer and will continue to love this forever.

Hair:

OSiS Texture Powder
I received this product in an Influenster VoxBox and was very skeptical about it at first, but after numerous weeks of playing around with it I decided I can't live without it. It adds volume to my flat hair and I'll always need products like that.

Tigi Catwalk Sea Spray (not pictured)
I've repurchased too many bottles of this, but I #cantstopwontstop. It smells like a lovely spa hair salon and I am convinced this is what adds texture to my hair because without it I swear I have nothing but slick strands that won't even hold in a clip.

Pantene Aqua Light Shampoo and Conditioner
I'm fickle with shampoos and conditioners, but I've repurchased this three times. If that doesn't mean something, then you obviously don't know me!! It's lightweight, smells nice, and keeps my locks looking fabulous.

Pantene Hair BB Cream
Before this product I always wondered if my hair needed something extra. I'd always get a bit of frizz after blowdrying and couldn't fix it with anything. This is my savior product. It claims to have 10 benefits including heat protecting and strengthening characteristics. So if it even does these two things then I've gotten my moneys worth. And I have.

Perfume:

Marc Jacobs Daisy
I can't say this has been a favorite of 2013 because I just received it for Christmas, but I can say that I've been pining for it since about May. So it made the list because every time I'd step into Sephora or Ulta I'd run to the perfumes and spray myself with this. I love it and it will definitely be a favorite for 2014, as well.

Versace Bright Crystal
This is my favorite fancy perfume. If I'm going out on a date night, attending a special event, or just feeling fancy, this is what I reach for. I'm not even going to attempt to explain what it smells like, but if you're interested I have a post dedicated to my perfume collection.

Philosophy Falling in Love
I especially love this perfume for winter and spring. I know that isn't usually a pairing that people put together. It's often spring/summer and fall winter, but this scent has warm vanilla notes perfect for winter and a splash of berry essential for spring. I also love this perfume because my mom gave this to me as a gift and said that it smelled like me! How nice it that, having someone smell something lovely and think that it matches my scent preferences.

Books:

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
If you like the Hunger Games series, you'll love Divergent. It's a dystopian survival book set in Chicago (which I love because who doesn't love the Midwest?!). I read all three of these books in 2013 and they have moved near the top of my favorite books of all time list.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
I don't often reach for self-help books, but this was recommended to me and I quickly learned that it was far from self-help. It's more like a memoir encouraging everyone to be happier. It's one of the first books that I still think about in depth months after I finished reading it. I'll hopefully do my own Happiness Project sometime soon. Perhaps starting in January, as the author did. I think everyone can be happier and this uplifting account of Rubin's journey to more happiness was inspiring.

Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder (not pictured)
I read this book for my Literary Journalism class this semester. I'm as surprised as you are that a book I was forced to read made my favorite books of the year list. I know. It's unheard of! But it's true. I love this book, I love the message, and I fell in love with Deo and his unbelievable story of hope and strength. It's a must read.

Movies:

Monsters University
I'm a big fan of Pixar and really any animated film. I loved Monsters Inc. so I'm definitely glad they came back to revisit some of my favorite characters.

Secret life of Walter Mitty
This was my family's Christmas Day movie of the year and I'm so glad we chose this one. Much better than sobbing through Les Mis last Christmas (although I love Les Mis and would gladly sob through it every day). It's uplifting, inspiring, and an all around great movie.

Frozen
I would have to say this is probably my all time favorite of 2013. I loved the songs, the animation, the story, the characters (read: Kristof), and, of course, the adorable snowman Olaf. GO SEE IT. You will not regret it.

About Time
There's always gotta be a favorite chick flick of the year and this was mine. I love Rachel McAdams and she did a fabulous job, as always. It wasn't a super lovey dovey movie, my boyfriend came along and enjoyed it, as well. Sort of sci-fi slash romantic comedy makes a great date night movie.

Television Shows:

Downton Abbey
This is the best show ever. That is all I need to say, but I'll say more. The cast is splendid, the story line is intriguing episode after episode, and I've become completely invested in the lives of the family and the help. After some devastating happenings in the past few series, I'm happy to say Series 4 ended with happiness. There's always a bit of drama, but this season was spectacular and I didn't end up bawling by the end of the Christmas special. Can't wait until September for Series 5.

Breaking Bad
I suppose there can't be a Best of Television 2013 without mentioning Breaking Bad. The writing is unparalleled and the ending was INSANE. If you haven't seen it, the entire series is on Netflix and I'd recommend a binge watching weekend.

Honorable Mention:
Orange is the New Black
This show is a Netflix original series and I watched the entire first season in about a week. I know it's not as impressive as a weekend, but I had school and other shows to watch. I am looking forward to season 2 in the coming year. Watching Piper venture into the unknown world of prison made for quite an interesting program. The character development was great and every episode built on the last.

Best 20113 Memories

- Feeding giraffes at the zoo for my 21st birthday

- Daily runs by the Mississippi River

- Ran my first half marathon. Planning for my second in May!

- Became obsessed with Pilates (so obsessed that I'm going to be training to become a certified Pilates instructor in 2014!)
-NACBs Camogie in Cleveland
-Meeting the Mayor of Galway County at Milwaukee Irish Fest

1: Councellor Liam Carroll Mayor of Galway, 2: My best friend and I enjoying a Christmassy night, 3: Getting ready for a thrown in for the MHC U7s, 4: At the starting line for my first half-marathon, 5: KT Tape models at NACBs in Cleveland, 6: Fall Family Fun Day in October

1: MHC Opening Day 2013, 2: Bran-pants sleeping like a cutie pie, 3: Being silly with my silly guy, 4: Getting ready to feed giraffes

Michael Todd True Organics Tropical Fruit Enzyme Scrub Review

The Michael Todd True Organics Tropical Fruit Enzyme Scrub takes you out of your bathroom and places you on the beach with a pina colada in your hand. If that doesn't say "I smell fantastic" to you, then I don't know what does!

The smell alone could sell me on this product, but it has also evened out my skin tone and smoothed my skin texture. I don't think it is a holy grail item that I'll always have on hand, but I do love using it and have noticed a difference in skin texture since I've begun using this. I like that this is an enzyme scrub because it is gentle enough for my sensitive skin. Enzyme products exfoliate without damaging delicate facial skin. It's delicate enough for me to use it every other day!

If you've read any of my previous posts you'll know I love natural products. Michael Todd True Organics uses many organic ingredients as the brand name suggests, 98% natural organic ingredients to be exact.

Overall it smells fantastic, it works, and I'd recommend it to a friend.

Burt's Bees Honey & Shea Sugar Scrub Review

As much as I love beauty products, especially skincare, I've never purchased a sugar scrub or body exfoliation product before this week. I know, you're all shocked! I always just thought it wouldn't make that much of a difference, but after using the Burt's Bees Honey and Shea Sugar Scrub I'm a full convert.

First off, this product smells like heaven. It is unmistakably honey scented, but it's also very warm and cozy with a hint of vanilla. I can't buy anything without knowing what it smells like so I had to poke a hole in the foil covering while standing in the beauty aisle of Target. I know, I know, that was bad, but I bought it so it's ok!

The only reason I picked this up in the first place was because I read that exfoliation was the key to a good self-tan. I've been heavily using Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer in the attempt to look less like a ghost by the time I'm wearing shorts full time. Not only did the Burt's Bees Sugar Scrub impress me with improvements in self-tanning, but my shave was so much closer on my legs after using it! I can also attest to the fact that my shave has lasted longer than usual and my skin is extremely soft. Always a plus, especially in shorts season when I'd rather not shave my legs every single day.

If you've always scoffed at exfoliators like me, pick this up and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Products I Regret Purchasing

I don't often buy a product I don't love, but there will always be a few where they just don't work out. Occasionally I'll have an impulse buy, or something will not work well with my skin, but for the most part the other products from any of these brands are great.

Smashbox HD Concealer, Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream, The Body Shop DeoDry Deodorant, Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara, Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream

If you've read any of my previous posts you'll know I'm a concealer fanatic. I'll try anything once, and I'd heard so many good things about this Smashbox HD concealer. Magazines dubbed it "Best Concealer," my friends raved about it, and I trusted that a high end brand could do no wrong. Unfortunately, this product didn't work out for me. The color is too yellow, I find it goopy and hard to work with, and it does not blend very easily. For me, this concealer was much too heavy. I know many people love this product, but it was just not the right match.

The Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream wasn't a huge disappointment for me because I only got a free sample in a Sephora order, but I thought it was going to work wonders. Instead, it stung my eyes and made them look puffier than before. I do have sensitive skin, so I'm sure this eye cream would be great for those with less sensitive skin.

I love The Body Shop and all of the more natural products. This was a non-aluminum deodorant that actually kept me dry and smelling fresh all day. The only downside for me was that I had an allergic reaction to the eucalyptus in this line of products. If you're looking for a natural deodorant, and are not allergic to eucalyptus, then I highly recommend this. I only regret purchasing this because I cannot enjoy it.

Mascara is a must have item for me everyday. I heard so many beauty gurus on YouTube talking about this mascara and how much they loved the brush. Being the sucker for beauty products that I am, I went out and bought the coveted mascara. I got home and tried it on only to be disappointed with the flimsy brush. I need a sturdy brush to really work the mascara onto my lashes. I like to have a bit of force behind it and this brush took away any sense of force. The formula is great, like all Maybelline mascaras, but I do not like the brush.

The biggest beauty disappointment for me recently was this Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream. This was an impulse buy and I hadn't heard much about it, but I'd always wanted to try BB cream for its wonderful benefits. Unfortunately my sensitive skin couldn't handle this product and it broke me out. I am too afraid to test it out again so I'm just giving up on it. I wouldn't recommend this to those of you with sensitive skin.

Are there any products out there that you think I should try? Let me know in the comments below!

April Favorites 2013

Well I'm going to sound like such a girl right now and say that this month went by so quickly. I'm not joking. It feels like just yesterday I was on my way back home for the half-marathon that took place the first weekend in April! Here in Minnesota it didn't start feeling like April until last Friday, so I am very happy that spring has decided to come out of hiding! Here are a few things I've been loving the past month!

I talked about the Pink Fresh and Clean body spray in my collection post, but the lotion is equally as amazing. I love that when you pair fragrances with the matching lotion the staying power is tripled! This is a great lotion and I've used it for years. I only recently started using it again as a daily lotion and I'm so happy I did!

If you've already read my post raving about the Neutrogena Hand Cream then it wont be a surprise to you that it is showing up in my favorites! I love that this is a multi-use cream and it is the best chapstick replacement ever. I don't think I'll ever buy chapstick again.

I bought this Boots Expert Sensitive Gentle Refreshing Toner awhile back because I had forgotten my Bioderma at my house in Wisconsin and needed something gentle to take off makeup and refresh my skin. I definitely believe this is a dupe for Bioderma and if you've ever purchased Bioderma in the states you'll appreciate the $4.00 price tag on the Boots version. I still love my Bioderma as a number one product, but since it's so expensive I've been happy using this as a substitute.

In my Bursting with Blushes post I mentioned the Revlon PhotoReady Coral Reef Blush and ever since that post I have been wearing this blush everyday. I'm so glad I found a coral/orangey blush I can pull off.

This Revlon Fearless nail polish is a perfect bright spring red. I don't usually go for reds in spring time, but I wore this for a week and a half and almost wanted to repaint my nails the same color because I loved it that much. I paired it with my new Essie Strength base coat and was very impressed with how long it lasted.

The Essie Fiji nail polish is the perfect baby girl pink. I think of a baby shower when I wear it because it is so creamy and cute. It does need two coats to be opaque, but I don't mind an extra coat for a perfect pink.

I've had the L'Oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner in Brown for a long time and it lasts forever! I love that it is a creamy eyeliner that just glides right on. It doesn't drag my eye and you can smudge it easily to get that "smokey" eyeliner look. I've been wearing it only on my bottom lash line to create a darker look

Now for some Non-Beauty favorites of the month:

For the first part of April there was still snow on the ground here in Minnesota, but once the sun came out I finally got to test out my new Birkenstocks in the style Gizeh. I purchased them because of my plantar fasciitis and they have been amazing. I will be living in these shoes this summer. I won't need anything else. Ever.

My favorite song of the month has been "I Do Adore" by Mindy Gledhill. I love the ukulele and the happy upbeat lyrics. It feels like summer and I love to belt it out when I'm in the shower.

What are some of your favorites from this month?

Empty Product Review #1

I always love watching Empty Product videos on YouTube because I feel like they really inform the viewers on what products are worth buying. If I make it through a product (and I'm scraping at the remains), then it comes highly recommended by me. I love testing beauty products and skin care items so more often than not I'll discover a new item that I love before I've used up a similar product.

These are items that I've been collecting for the past few weeks!

Hair Products

Paul Mitchell Smoothing Serum, LUSH Veganese Conditioner, Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray

The Paul Mitchell Smoothing Serum smells great and really does smooth your hair. I usually applied this right after I got out of the shower so it could double as a detangling product. It something I enjoyed using while I had it, but would probably not repurchase because in full size it is a bit pricey.

The LUSH Veganese Conditioner "smells like 7-Up" according to my roommate. I agree, but there are also hints of lavender that make it smell like a spa. This is a very light conditioner and claims to be "exceptionally good for limp, fine, or lack-lustre hair." I have limp hair and am always looking for voluminizing products, but this was not exceptional for my hair. I've been using the Clear Long Lengths Conditioner and have been very happy with the results. I did enjoy the scent though, so props to LUSH.

I wish I would have grabbed the full size version of the Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray. I had run out of my Bed Head Masterpiece spray and wanted to repurchase it, but Target was sold out so I grabbed this thinking it was just a stand-in until I could find the Bed Head spray again. I was wrong. I fell in love and can't wait until I'm out of hairspray again so I can buy the full version. It smells great, it has all day power, and doesn't make my hair crunchy.

Random Samples

Fresh Picked "Beautiful Day" Lotion, Ange ou Demon Eau de Parfum, Daisy by Marc Jacobs

I love beauty products; therefore, I also love beauty samples. I received a perfume sample in an order from Sephora and quickly ran out of Daisy by Marc Jacobs. I'm not usually one for floral scents, but this doesn't smell overpowering and has hints of vanilla. I also used up a sample of the Givenchy Ange ou Demon Eau de Parfum. I'm not a huge fan because it was a little too strong for me and smelled very spicy. 

I also used up a sample of the Bath and Body Works Beautiful Day lotion. I have already purchased the full version so I guess that pretty much speaks for itself. I love the fresh spring scent and I believe it will transition well into summer.

Concealers

NYX HD Concealer in Light, Almay Clear Complexion Concealer in Light

I usually go through concealers pretty quickly because I don't use foundation so concealers are my base, but these ones were not my favorites so they took a long time to use up. The NYX concealer may have been a bit too light for my skin (if there is such a thing because I'm very fair skinned) and the Almay concealer had a gloppy consistency. I raved about my favorite concealers in a post here.

Hygiene Products

Top: Dove GoFresh Deodorant in Plum and Sakura Blossom, LUSH Charity Pot
Bottom: Method Hand Soap in White Nectarine, LUSH Snow Fairy Shower Gel, Degree Sexy Intrigue Deodorant

Deodorant is deodorant. I liked it, it kept me smelling fresh. Enough said.

I adore the LUSH Charity Pot lotion mostly because the proceeds go to charities. It's very moisturizing and the scent is sweet like honey and sticks with you. A little goes a long way so this $5 container was definitely worth it. I have already repurchased this and have been using it!

Method Hand Soap is my favorite because it isn't full of antibacterials or chemicals that can actually harm your skin. This has a nice fruity nectarine scent and I will be sticking with the Method brand, but perhaps trying another scent because they're all very nice.

I received this LUSH Snow Fairy Shower Gel as a Christmas present and it smells like cotton candy. It's also a lovely pink color and really brightens up a dull winter morning. I enjoyed using this, but because it is special addition I will not be repurchasing it right away. Maybe I'll get it again next year!

Another normal deodorant. Degree in Sexy Intrigue. I love this scent, but will be searching for a more natural deodorant.

 Face and Shower Products

Alba Even Advanced Sea Algae Enzyme Scrub, The Body Shop Vitamin E Illuminating Moisture Cream, LUSH Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask, The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Body Wash, Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer, Bath and Body Works Pink Chiffon Lotion

I love the Alba Even Advanced Sea Algae scrub. It's been a favorite exfoliator of mine for a while and I've already purchased another. It smells kind of herbal and really gets deep into my pores for a deep clean while sloughing away all the dead skin.

I'm not a huge fan of this moisturizer from The Body Shop. It had a nice subtle smell and was very moisturizing, but it is illuminating and had too much pink tone for my skin. I am very fair and have pink undertones so this was not the right illuminating product for me. It made me look too pink.

I've raved about the LUSH Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask before and I will hopefully be repurchasing it again soon. It smells like blueberry muffins and works wonders on my skin.

I bought this Cranberry Joy body gel from The Body Shop around Christmas time, it smells like the cranberry candle from Bath and Body Works. The perfect smell for winter time. I loved it, but will be using more spring and summer scents until winter hits again.

The Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer is my everyday moisturizer and I've already purchased another. It has SPF in it, it clears dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and it's not too think for every day wear.

I love Bath and Body Works lotion and Pink Chiffon reminds me of the Pink Sugar perfume from Sephora. I haven't repurchased this, but it's a possibility in the future because I love the smell.

Candles

Bath and Body Works Slatkin & Co. Candles in Island Nectar and Pineapple Mango

The Island Nectar candle smells like a fancy cocktail that you'd drink on a beach and the Pineapple Mango (my favorite BBW candle) smells like a fresh cut pineapple covered in mango juice with a hint of vanilla. Best. Smell. Ever. And reminds me of summer. I highly recommend both of these candles.

Treats from South Korea

My brother recently visited friends in Jeju, South Korea and brought back some skin care goodies for me! I have the best big brother in the world; he even ventured into beauty related stores to find these masks for me.
I wish I could post all of the pictures from his trip because South Korea is such a beautiful place. I've definitely added it to the list of places I need to visit. He had a spectacular time and I enjoyed hearing about his travels.

I've already used the Tea Tree face mask and it was a lovely experience. It wasn't at all what I expected, but I definitely liked it. The mask wasn't a paste or a cream, but instead it was a cloth with eye, nose and mouth cut outs soaked in the fresh essences. I wouldn't say it changed my skin dramatically or made me feel like a new person, but it was very refreshing and soothing for my face.

I don't know how I'll live without this Laneige blush once I've used it up. I have it in the shade 02 Light, but there are other shades as well. I'm so proud of my brother for picking this up for me because he didn't even know what he was looking for! It is gradient blush and looks slightly different every time you wear it because the brush will pick up a different mixture of the colors. It is shimmery so I think it will be great for summer and add that extra dewiness to my skin. 

I'm so lucky to have a big brother as great as mine. Not just for bringing me treats from his trip, but because he's an all around great person and an inspiration for me everyday. I'm sure you'll hear more about him soon. He's my role model and one of my best friends.

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask Review

Face masks are one of my most favorite activities for a lazy night at home. I've never tried the Lush Fresh Face Masks, but have always been intrigued because I'm a fan of pretty much all of the other Lush products.

While smelling my way through the Lush store last week I came across the Fresh Face Mask table and, of course, stopped to smell each product and read about the benefits I could reap from using the masks. As you can see, I'm a sucker for products that claim to keep facial disasters at bay.

I chose this mask in particular because of the blueberry scent. It's as if you're smearing a blueberry muffin infused with chamomile tea all over your face. It actually has bits of mashed up blueberries in it! And I love chamomile because it is calming as a tea so I figured it'd be great for my face. The description reads, "When disaster looms Catastrophe Cosmetic calms and cleanses the skin. Blueberries rich in beneficial anti-oxidants, soothing chamomile, Irish moss, and the gentle cleansing action of calamine to save the day." 

I always think that I've come across the next Holy Grail skin care product, and I'm usually just loving something because it's new. Not this time. I'll definitely be heading back to Lush as soon as I run out because it has really calmed my skin and it just feels so darn great!

Skincare Routine

My skin has dramatically improved with some recent dietary changes, but I truly believe in the power of a great skincare routine. I used to be am a product hoarder and love trying out new face masks, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers, but I have found that keeping it simple is what my skin likes best (who would have thought?!).

In the morning I start out with the Alba Botanica Even Advanced Sea Algae Enzyme Scrub. I like to exfoliate right away in the morning to wake up my skin and slough off the dead skin. This product is certified organic and hypo-allergenic. It is not tested on animals and does not include parabens.
I like using natural products on my face because they are coming in direct contact with a very sensitive area. This product is all natural, but it doesn't smell offensive like some natural products do; it smells a bit like aloe. I have repurchased this multiple times and it is my favorite exfoliator, believe me, I've tried many.

Before I apply any makeup, I like to spritz my skin with this Lush Tea Tree Water toner. It smells like tea tree oil, and if you've ever smelled tea treel oil you know it can be a strong scent, but this is quite relaxing. This is a very refreshing mist and does not have an overpowering tea tree oil smell because it is mixed with grapefruit and juniper. I haven't noticed any remarkable changes in my skin from using this product, but I do enjoy the refreshing qualities. I occasionally use this as a makeup setting spray, as well.

Moisturizer and serum, what can I say? I've been using The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Serum since July and fear the day I run out of it. I love the packaging because the pump is so handy, but it's hard to tell how much product I have left. I really don't ever want to be without it. This adds a glow to my skin because there is a shimmery factor to it, but I'd never call it shimmery once it's blended in. It looks very nice on the skin and I use it as a primer for my makeup in the morning.
I have recently fallen in love with the Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer. After I ran out of The Body Shop Vitamin C Moisturizer I had to find a drugstore alternative that wouldn't cost me twenty-some dollars to replace. Although I'd love to repurchase The Body Shop moisturizer, this Neutrogena moisturizer has impressed me. It claims to reduce the appearance of dark spots within four weeks, I believe it is correct! I have been using this for over 3 months now and see a visible difference.

Can I say "Holy Grail" product? This Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel is my favorite cleanser of all time, ever. I use it at night to remove my makeup and the dirt from my day, but I use it in the morning sometimes, just because I love it that much. It's gentle, it smells like an herb garden, and it takes off any sort of makeup I put on my skin. I've repurchased this twice now and I think it is safe to say I'm in love. None of the Boscia products have ever broken me out and my skin is very sensitive. This is a gel consistency so it may be different than some other cleansers out there. It doesn't get very sudsy if you're into soap, but it lathers up into a nice layer on your skin. I always feel refreshed after washing my face with this cleanser.

Bioderma is a love it or hate it product. I LOVE it. I know it isn't available in stores here (it's a French pharmacy product), I purchased mine on Amazon and don't think I'll be able to again due to the fact that the prices are ridiculous. It removes all traces of makeup and is very gentle for sensitive skin. It has no scent and has the consistency of water. I use a cotton pad to use this product all over my face. It feels incredibly cleansing; even after I wash my face, this removes dirt and grime. Gross, right? Regardless, it is very gentle and is a must-buy for anyone who has had skin issues or is suffering from very sensitive skin.

After washing my face at night I always apply a moisturizer, especially in the dryer winter months. This is the Korres Rose and Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial and I have been using it since September. It smells like roses and is a very thick moisturizer. A little goes a long way with this product because it spreads like butter. Weird reference..I don't know if you'd want to spread butter on your face, but anyway, this is a smoothing moisturizer and I kid you not, you will wake up with brighter, glowing skin.

Freeman's Superfruits Revealing Facial Mask is my face mask of the moment. I'm not very loyal to face masks because, as I mentioned before, I'm obsessed with all things skincare related. I usually do a face mask about once a week, depending on how busy I am. This is a fun mask because once it is dry you peel it off and it looks like you're peeling off a layer of your skin! It smells like fruit and maybe a hint of mint (that might just be me making something up), but I think there's mint in there. This face mask is pretty gentle and I quite like it. I don't know if I'll repurchase it, but for the time being I enjoy using it and it reveals glowing skin, which I appreciate.







So there's my skincare routine of the moment. Trying to keep it as simple as I can and using natural products whenever possible. Any suggestions for a face mask that I could try when I run out of the Super Fruits Peel-Off?