Fragrance

A Marvelous Makeup Cleanser and 3 Game-Changing Things for Better Mornings

April 16th, 2024 by Karen 2 Comments

I really wanted the Oat Cleansing Balm makeup remover by the Inkey List to smell like a freshly baked oatmeal cookie. Alas, it’s more like uncooked oatmeal when you first open the packaging. Kinda earthy. I don’t mind it!

This balm is a first cleanse which removes all your makeup, even waterproof. I’ve heard good things about it, but what interested me the most was the affordable price. For a pretty substantial 5-ounce tube, it’s a mere $13. You know I love a good deal!

I’ve been using it for the past few days to remove my, quote unquote, work face, which isn’t really complicated in the makeup department but does involve long-wearing eye make up products, including a water resistant mascara and a gel liner that hangs on for dear life. Side note, Rare Beauty is where it’s at, man!

Oat Cleansing Balm melts them both right off, but FYI, you like to wear liner on your waterline, I’d advise using an additional eye makeup remover, because I’ll get this temporary cloudy haze in my eyes. (That happens to me sometimes with certain cleansing balms.)

Considering the amount you get for the price, I don’t mind it. This is a great deal.

I’ve been binge listening the Mel Robbins podcast, which I stumbled onto while browsing through Spotify.

In the span of two days I’ve learned SO. MUCH. STUFF. And it’s useful!

I’ve been looking for solutions to help me not be so freaking tired all the time. Seriously, if there is a way to find even just the tiniest bit of extra energy, I’ll try it, which is what led me to this particular podcast about three things you can do to have better mornings.

Anyway, I’ve been trying these things for the past few days, and my goodness. I think it might actually work!

Oh, not gonna lie, I was terrified to try water before coffee in the morning because I love coffee so much. It’s been four days now, and I’m still standing and functioning! Anywho, give it a listen.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Hawaii Vacation Beauty Products

July 20th, 2023 by Karen 6 Comments

Please excuse my paws in these photos. They’re extra t-rex because I was holding these beauty products over a railing with dear life, LOL!

Anywho, I always like seeing the beauty products people bring with them on vacation. Here’s what I’ve been using on this trip!

Sunscreen

Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen and Tinted Sunscreen 50+ (both tinted and untinted)
Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70 (Side note, my mom had this around which is why we’re using it, but it works but it’s a little sticky and uncomfortable, IMHO)
Banana Boat Sport Ultra SPF 50

Hair

Kenra Volume Spray Super Hold Finishing Spray 25
Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Air Dry Cream
I didn’t bring any shampoo, conditioner or body wash because the place we’re staying at has Malie Organics Mango Nectar hair and body products!

Body

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant Anti-Perspirant Stick
Gilette Venus Razor
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration

Face

elf Skin Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oil Skin
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream
Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion
Laneige Lip Mask

Hope things on your end are great!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Summer Beauty Buddies: The Gehwol Biosana Swiss Foot File

July 19th, 2023 by Karen 3 Comments

“BRB, I need to cheese grate my feet.”

Yes, I just used cheese grater as a verb.

Dang, those foot calluses are stealthy! I can’t pinpoint exactly when mine emerged, but halfway through the summer I noticed my once soft, smooth regular ol’ tootsies suddenly transformed into a full-on blocks of parmesan.

‘Tis the price one pays when you stomp-walk around the pool barefoot. Sigh!

Anywho, I got a $26 Gehwol Biosana Swiss Foot Files from Nordstrom years ago, and it is the best thing I’ve found for exfoliating away all calluses on my feet.

I know what you’re probably thinking. $26? FOR A FOOT FILE?

Girl, listen. If you’re going to cheese grate the crap out of your feet, this one does it better than all the other discount versions you’ll find elsewhere. So much gross stuff comes off with a quickness! It’s weirdly thrilling.

One key is the multi-directionality. You can go up, down, left, right, really all the ways you can think of. With this file so it’s easy to get into all the nooks and crannies.

I like to soak for 10 minutes, and then I start with the rough side of the file to get the bulk of the thick skin off. Then I do some “fine tuning” with the side with the finer grit.

FYI, I’ve done a lot of reading on how much of your callus one should remove during the process, and most sources say that you should probably not take it down completely. Leave a little on for cushion, so to speak.

Your tootsies will be transformed, I tell ya!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Summer Beauty Buddies: Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub

July 14th, 2023 by Karen 4 Comments

The best $10 you’ll ever spend at Ulta, hands down!

And I’m not just saying that because a tub of Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub brought me back to life after three days camping in the hot, dusty woods.

But after watching a ribbon of dirt dance down the drain after exfoliating my body with this sugary, rose scented scrub, I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, that’s the most beautifully disgusting, yet satisfying, thing I’ve seen in a really long time.”

The level of physical exfoliation in this product does not play! It’s intense. However, it doesn’t hurt, which is a big deal for me. I don’t want to be punished by my beauty products, ya know? Life is hard enough.

Experience an intense exfoliation and reveal soft, glowing skin with the luscious scent of Moroccan Rose. Made with Sugar, Shea Butter, and an array of natural oils like Moroccan Argan, Rosehip, Evening Primrose, Avocado, Macadamia, Sweet Almond, Safflower and Orange Oils.
— ulta.com

Sugar and silica (here’s some in-depth ingredient info on silica) lift away all the stuff sitting on your skin to reveal softer, smoother EVERYTHING.

Oh, and it fills your bathroom with the scent of a big, blooming bouquet of lush, fresh roses. Lovely!

Last but not least, you don’t have to worry about the product leaving an oily film behind. The scrub boasts a “no-slip” formula, so feel free to move about your tub without worrying about falling to your unexpected doom.

By the way, at Ulta, it’s currently 10% off when you buy online and pick up in store with code SUMMER23.

Soft skin for everyone!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Summer Beauty Buddies: Trader Joe’s Brazil Nut Body Wash and Body Butter

June 21st, 2023 by Karen 9 Comments

It’s a total coincidence that today’s summer beauty buddies match my dress!

Side note, it’s the Athleta Conscious Dress. I bought the petite version in the color Salvia Pink on sale a while back for like $30! And oh la la, it has pockets.

Anywho, Trader Joe’s limited edition Brazil Nut Body Wash and Body Butter, last time I checked, were $5.99 each at our local store, but dang, I’ve been seeing it on online resale sites for crazy inflated prices, like $25 for the Body Wash and $45 for the Body Butter. I guess people really like it!

Or, maybe they’re so hooked they’ll pay whatever it takes because the scent is crazy addictive.

Major mood lift

It’s a mix of delicious food notes – salted caramel, pistachio, vanilla and coconut. Typically I’d consider these cozy notes for winter scents, but the addition of the coconut tips it into summer territory.

It’s strong but not cloyingly sweet, and when I can smell it on my arms and on my hands, I can’t help but feel the tropical island vibes! It’s a major mood lifter.

And it keeps going and going and going

I think you’ve gotta do both the Body Wash and Body Butter together. When I layer the two, I’m happily surrounded by the deliciousness all day long.

No need for a separate body splash or perfume on top, although I wouldn’t be surprised if TJ’s launched something next year to round out the whole experience.

Rich and creamy

The Body Wash is creamy and foams up into a lovely, soft lather. The Body Butter has a whipped consistency, so it easily sinks into the skin, and is rich enough for my uber-dry spots.

Neither are tested on animals, which is a nice plus!

Would I buy this again?

Oh, most definitely. If you’re shopping at TJs and see them on shelves and you happen to like tropical notes with a foodie vibe, grab ’em while you can!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What’s a Skin Care Product You Always Have Around?

March 22nd, 2023 by Karen 10 Comments

You know the ones I’m talking about — the tubes and jars, which, when you come to the last bits and bobs, cause a minor panic!

Because my skin is so dry, I would absolutely not be able to function without a rich moisturizer for my face. I’d probably short circuit; it’s that serious, ha ha ha!

Right now I’m really into Naturium Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream. Before that I was all about Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream. I’m probably switching to Naturium for good, though, because it’s more affordable at $25 for 1.7 ounces (Biossance is $60 for 1.6 ounces) and more moisturizing compared to the Biossance one.

I also always have benzoyl peroxide up in the mix. Kate Somerville Anti-Bac has been my fave for over a decade.

Hmm. I’m adding sunscreen to this list, too, but since I always have extra tubes around (seriously, I’m obsessed), I can’t imagine actually running low on sunscreen. Perish the thought!

How about you? What are the skincare products you never allow yourself to run out of?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

More Naturium Love: Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream | Target Anthem | Little America

February 3rd, 2023 by Karen 4 Comments

From this point on, this little ditty will be playing in my head every time I peruse the skin care section at Target.

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A post shared by Carter Vail (@cartervailmusic)

Homeboy’s pearl choker cracks me up! He looks like he borrowed some of Connor’s play jewelry and forgot to return it.

Naturium Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream

This was my long-winded way of saying I bought more skin care from Naturium while I was at Target — a jar of Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream!

My skin care queen Dr. Alexis recommended it in a video about the best moisturizers for hyperpigmentation. Apparently, it’s rich in vitamin F (otherwise known as linoleic acid).

The whole “supposed to help with hyperpigmentation” thing is intriguing, plus, I think I overdid it recently with exfoliating as my skin’s much dryer than usual, ugh.

I’ve been slathering it on day and night for the past few days, and when I woke up this morning, my dry patches finally felt better. Yay for moisture barrier repair!

Here’s to hoping that it also helps with the uneven patches of pigmentation on my cheeks and above my upper lip. *Crosses fingers and toes.*

Heads up, technically the packaging says its fragrance free, but to my nose it smells kinda funky, like a candle that’s been tucked away in a dusty cabinet for a few years. I don’t love it, but I also don’t hate it.

New favorite show

I just started watching a show on Apple TV called “Little America” that I think you might like. It’s a series of stand-alone stories that are inspired by true stories of immigrants in the United States.

Have you heard about it? It’s so good!

It’s got a “Ted Lasso” vibe, and both El Hub and I have teared up several times while watching the first season. Fire it up this weekend if you’re looking for something sweet and inspiring to watch.

I hope this week has been kind to you

Aren’t you glad it’s Friday? I’m so happy the weekend is right around the corner. I’m going to start celebrating it a little early with a yummy green tea matcha latte from my favorite bakery in town.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm | 100th Day of School

January 31st, 2023 by Karen 10 Comments

Hi and happy Tuesday, friend. How’s your day going?

Mine has been pretty great so far… I got some promising news on the job front this morning, but I’m not going to get too excited until the ink has dried.

I guess that’s something that comes with age?

In my 20s and even my 30s, I probably would’ve already entered celebration mode, but as I move into my 40s, sometimes I approach joy with a measured caution – something I definitely didn’t do before. Dunno if it’s a good or bad thing. Hmmm.

All I know is that I’ve been telling the universe (and myself) that I wanted to write for a beauty brand that I use and love, and so far the universe has sent me lots of good signs. We’ll see!

On another beauty note, last week during a de-stress shopping trip, I randomly bought a jar of Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm. Naturium’s a “clean” (air quotes) skin care line by Susan Yara of YouTube fame, and you can find it at Target.

Is it weird that I wanted it partly because the pretty purple jar caught my eye? I also like that it has linoleic-rich oils (aka vitamin F).

I’ve been using it as a first cleanse to remove makeup and sunscreen, and I’m loving it. It’s super creamy, takes off everything, even the long-wearing Hourglass gel liner I’ve been rockin’ lately, and doesn’t dry my skin out. It’s $19 for three ounces, and a little goes a long way.

This morning, Connor was very excited because today is the 100th day of school! Yes, this is a thing now.

The kids do special projects to celebrate, and this year, she created a “spring is coming” poster with a flower with 100 items glued to the petals.

The kids also dressed up as 100-year-old senior citizens. Connor wore a granny-inspired dress, pearls and a scarf, and I used a white eyeshadow to turn her brown hair gray. LOL!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen