August 2018 Empties

Hey guys, long time no see! Life has been busy the last couple months, and blogging hasn't been a main priority. I'm sorry for that, and hope to pick back up! I haven't shared my empty products lately, so today I will share what I used from from August. September and October empties will be posted separate. I'm going to start making these posts a little shorter, and basically say whether or not I liked it, and if I'd repurchase.

I'll start off with some skincare I finished. I really enjoyed the Belif Bergamot Herbal Extract Toner. It helped my oily skin feel less oily, and I felt my skin was prepped well before serums. Would repurchase.

I finished up two deluxe sizes of the Bliss Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15. This moisturizer is alright, just a basic everyday moisturizer. There was nothing special to it, but it didn't make me feel greasy, which was nice. Would not repurchase.

I had a small sample from a brand called ASAP and it was their Gentle Cleansing Gel. I actually really liked this! I felt it cleansed my skin nicely and didn't leave it feeling tight or dry. Would repurchase. The Lancer The Method: Cleanse cleanser on the other hand left my skin feeling so dry, I had to use so much more moisturizer. It cleans well, but definitely isn't something I would buy myself. Would not repurchase.

Last up is some body and hair care. I had gotten the Softsoap Eternal Bloom body wash as a PR sample a while ago. I like the smell of these soaps, but I feel like they dry out my skin a little too much, and I end up using more moisturizer than I want to. Would not repurchase. 

Bath & Body Works hand soaps are nearly gone in my stash, and I used up the Cozy Vanilla Cream scent. Liked the scent, but will not repurchase. 

I used up two products from Perlier, the Shea Butter Ultra Rich Moisturizing Shower Cream and the Honey Nurturing Body Balm. Both felt nice on my skin, but I would not repurchase. 

The Simply Clean Berry Whip Shower Sugar Scrub was a gift a couple years ago. I didn't like this. It smelled fake and had very few scrubbing bits. Would not repurchase. 

Lastly is the derma E Scalp Relief Conditioner. I loved how this made my scalp feel, but it didn't do much for my hair. Would not repurchase. 

Products used up: 11
Total for the year: 113

I feel like I'm doing well! I honestly haven't worn much makeup so I don't for-see using any up by the end of the year, unless something is old and I throw it away. I definitely think I'll be hitting my goal of 150 products used up by the end if December!

What have you used up recently?

June 2018 Empties

June was an amazing month with using up products! I feel so proud of myself, and I'm excited to share what I was able to use up last month.

 I'll start off with the few skincare samples I used up. I have 3 packet samples: the Derma E Vitamin C Brightening Clay Mask, The Body Shop Drops of Youth Concentrate, and a Cane + Austin Miracle Pad +. I actually loved all three of these samples! Derma E makes great skincare, you all know I love The Body Shop products, and Cane + Austin is a new to me brand. 

I have 2 deluxes samples of moisturizer/sunscreen. The Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Lotion was a bit thick, but it sunk into my skin fine. The Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion was not good. I used it 3 times and had to get rid of the rest. It smelled very strongly of perfume and made my skin look ghostly white. 

Next up is some hair and body care. I ended up getting rid of the Rusk Sensories Brilliance Color Protector. I just knew I wasn't going to use it and it's been in my closet for years. 

I finally used up the Arvazallia Restorative Conditioner. I thought this was okay. I used up the shampoo a couple months ago, and wasn't a fan of the duo. It made my hair feel nice for maybe a day, then it was greasy after that. 

I know a lot of people don't care for Pantene products, but I loved the Anti-Breakage Shampoo! It made my hair feel so soft and clean, and I might end up repurchasing at some point. 

I used up a shower cream and body cream duo from Perlier in the White Almond scent. I adore the scent, and of the two, the shower cream was my favorite. 

Next up is some random stuff. I had one wipe left of the Epielle Green Tea Cleansing tissues, but it was all dried up and not usable. 

I wasn't a fan of the L.A. Colors lip balm in the shade Boom. The tint was too much, so I just used it right before bed. 

I decluttered the Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. It's very old and it was time to get rid of it. 

I also ended up getting rid of the Skin Food Cacao Hand Balm. I did not like how this just sat on my skin and didn't really provide much hydration. 

I'm on a quest to use up or get rid of all my candles. Now that I diffuse Young Living essential oils, I find myself not liking candles anymore.

I used up the two hand soaps I had in the kitchen and bathroom: Bath & Body Works Tuscan Vineyard, and Green Goo Lemongrass Zinger. Loved both scents, but once I use up all the handsoaps I have, I'll be making my own. 

Lastly is my daughter's empties! Mountain Falls is Amazon's brand, and their Baby Night-time Bath soap is awesome. It's not very expensive and smells like lavender. The mini Johnson's baby shampoo is what I use to clean my makeup brushes, or clean out my daughter's Nose Frida. The Boudreaux's Butt Paste was alright, but I discovered Young Living's diaper cream, and it's fantastic!

Products used up: 20
Total for the year: 94

Like I had said above, I'm so incredibly happy to have used up this many products. My goal for the year was to use up 150 products, and I just might exceed that! I'm really excited to see how the rest of the year pans out.

February 2018 Empties

February wasn't as good of a month as January was in regards to used up products, but I still have a few to share with you today. Like I said in my January empties, I've been hoarding all this stuff, and now I have the time to share and finally get rid of everything. 

Starting off with the few skincare products, I used up two masks. One Tony Moly I'm Real Rice sheet mask for clear skin, and a Montagne Jeunesse Mint Choc Chip one time use mask. I've been really getting more into sheet masks lately, but need to take the time and use them more often. The sheet masks from Tony Moly are quite nice, and not so expensive when purchased on sale at Ulta. I'm not sure how I feel about the Mint Choc Chip mask. It definitely looks like mint chocolate chip on your skin, but the peppermint in it was quite overwhelming and made my eyes water a bit. I purchased a few different masks from this brand and haven't been too overwhelmed by the other one I tried either. 

I used up three more of the Dickinson's Oil Controlling Towelettes, and have just a few more to use up. I'm fairly certain I've mentioned already, but I do like these. I just think they're better, for me, in the warmer months when my skin is much more oily. 

I love Fresh products, but they're ridiculously expensive. Which is why I'm sad to report that I LOVE the Lotus Eye Gel! It's hydrating although it's a gel, feels amazing going on, and is perfect for daytime use. I do have quite a few eye creams in my stash to use up, but I'm incredibly tempted to buy a full size of this at some point. 

I just have two body care products, and they're both body washes. One is the St. Ives Rich & Creamy Vanilla Body Wash, and the other is the Derma e Psorzema Body Wash. My husband and I both used the St Ives wash, and I adored it. It made my skin feel very soft, and this bottle is very inexpensive when I can get it on sale at our grocery store. I did like the Derma e as well. It really did help with dry, itchy skin. The only downside I noticed was that I would get some body odor, so this doesn't help in that area.

Lastly, I have a few random products. I used up another Bath & Body Works 3-wick candle in the Pumpkin Cupcake scent, which I adore! This was my last one, and I kinda want it to be Fall again so I can get another. I also used up one of their Deep Cleansing Hand Soaps as well in the Peach Bellini scent. Loved this scent, but I know I've mentioned that I feel they're so expensive, even when on sale. I'm slowly phasing them out of my stash and will look for something that costs less. 

I used up an Aquafresh Sensitive toothpaste, which is nice. I can only use sensitive toothpastes because my teeth freak out with anything, especially cold things. Sensitive toothpaste helps for the most part, and I haven't noticed one that's better than another. 

Products used up: 11
Total for the year: 38

I don't know about anyone else, but I feel like I'm on a roll already! 38 products in just two months is amazing for me, and makes me feel like I can really hit my goal of 150 used up products for the whole year. I kinda hope I can use up way more than that, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot and end up not hitting my goal. March's empties should be coming up in the next week or so, and I'm happy to report (sneak peek here) that I have a few makeup products! Even though I'm primarily home with my daughter, I started doing my makeup again at least a few times a week, and hope to use up a few things this year. I'm so excited!

August & September 2017 Empties

It's been quiet again here on the blog. I'm still trying to get into a groove with being a mom and a blogger, so I'm sorry if all goes quiet every so often. I have some empties from August and September to share, and I'm quite impressed with my progress! I was going to wait until the end of October, but this month has been pretty awesome with using up products, so stay tuned for that post! 

Most of this post will be skincare, and these are some smaller products and samples. I used up two foil packet samples, one being the Jurlique Skin Balancing Face Oil and the other being a Diskinson's Oil Controlling Towelette. I liked the face oil as a final step to my skincare routine at night. It kept my skin feeling hydrated, and I woke up with baby soft skin. The towelette I used in the morning as a toner before serum and moisturizer. I have tons of these honestly, and I liked it a lot. 

The Azure Naturals Ultimate Vitamin C Serum was alright. I had it in my stash for a while, and got bored of it fast. I typically like Vitamin C serums, but I didn't like this one in the end. 

I decluttered the Jersey Shore Sun Sans Tan sunscreen after trying to use it once. It had separated horribly and the smell was off, so in the trash it goes. 

I really enjoyed the Bliss Best of Skintentions moisturizer. I like the scent and how it sinks into my skin without making it feel greasy. I have a few of these samples in my stash still, so I hope to use them up before the end of the year. 

We all know I love Derma e products, and I had done a review of their Firming DMAE Eye Lift a while ago. This product took forever to use up, and I loved it til the last drop! I would absolutely buy this when I use up the eye creams I have already. 

My love for sheet masks is still strong, but masking in general has been hard with a baby and life. I managed to use the Tony Moly I'm Real Moisturizing Aloe Mask, and the Sephora brand Pearl Mask meant for perfecting and brightening. I enjoyed both, but prefer the Tony Moly mask. Even though I have oily skin, I've been dealing with dry patches and flakes. Now with the weather changing, it'll just get worse, so hydration is key for me. 

I used up another of my beloved Aloe Calming Toners from The Body Shop. I've loved and used this toner for years, and only have 2 or 3 as backups. It's gotten too pricey for what it is, in my opinion, so I'll be looking for a replacement at a lower cost. 

The last few products are miscellaneous. I've had the Tresemme Platinum Strength shampoo and conditioner in my shower for way too long, and surprisingly I used up the conditioner first. I love this brand and would buy it again. It's inexpensive and gets the job done, plus makes my hair feel like a million bucks. 

There are two less Bath & Body Works products in my stash, and I used up the Pumpkin Coconut candle, which smells heavenly, and the Spring Time & Clementines deep cleansing hand soap. I cannot wait to use up all these hand soaps, and move on to others that are less expensive. 

I had purchased the Dermasil Dry Skin Treatment moisturizer at the dollar store of all places, and it worked better than some of my expensive moisturizers. I don't think I'd purchase again, only because I have so many body creams and lotions to use up. 

Number of products used up: 13
Total used up for the year: 56

Definitely not where I want to be with the products used up, but I'm very happy with my progress. I think my original goal was to use up 150 products, but with really only 2 months of the year left, that won't happen. If I can get to 75, I can start fresh in January and really work towards my goal of using up products and decluttering my life. 

What are some products you used up recently?

Current Skincare Favorites

 *Post contains affiliate links*

You all know my love for skincare, and that it is my focus for this year instead of makeup. You always have your skin, and the better you take care of it, I always feel you need less makeup. Don't get me wrong, I still love makeup, but with having Olivia home now, I don't have the time to play around with colors or looks, let alone put any on. So today's post is going to be the skincare products that I currently have been loving. 

The Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash has been a favorite cleanser of mine for years. I pulled it out from my stash and fell back in love with it. It has teeny tiny scrubbing bits in it that helps with a little manual exfoliation, but it's super gentle enough to use on a daily basis. This has been my morning cleanser, and it's helping to get rid of all the dry, flaky skin I've been having lately. 

I'm obsessed with lip balms. I literally have a huge bag full of ones I have yet to open. This Lime Rocket scent from Badger is AMAZING! It's so incredibly hydrating and creates a nice barrier from everything; wind, food, drink. It lasts such a long time between applications, so I don't see myself using all this up very quickly, unless I slather it on a million times a day, just because. 

I was given the Monat Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive ages ago to review. It's an oil that can be used in your hair or on your skin. It's way to much for my hair, but when I add just 2-3 drops of this oil into my moisturizer, my skin is hydrated and has a 'glow from within' look. 

I have also done a review on this Derma E Firming DMAE Eye Lift. Loved it then, and still love it now. I pulled this out again because my eye area was really dry and irritated. This helped it after just one use and keeps the delicate skin around my eyes looking nice and healthy. The little lines and circles I have from being exhausted are slowly starting to diminish as well. 

My last skincare product is from Bath & Body Works. Now I typically am not a fan of B&BW body care products. I adore their candles and hand soaps, but their body products left little to be desired for me. Since being in the NICU with my daughter, I have still been washing my hands a million times a day and am dealing with rough, cracked patches all over my hands. The Island White Pineapple Nourishing Hand Cream smells divine, but also hydrates my hands well without making them feel greasy. 

What are some of your favorite skincare products currently?

October, November & December 2016 Empties

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With my daughter being born early, I had no time to write up empties posts every month, let alone any posts really. I did still keep all the products I used up, and I'll have another empties post for the first 3 months of this year so far coming in the next couple weeks. 

I'll start off with some bath and hair products. The Pantene Volume Shampoo is one that both my husband and I used. I'm a big fan of Pantene shampoos and conditioners, and this one was no exception. I was sent the Derma E Scalp Relief Shampoo a while ago, and I did really enjoy it. It had a tingly effect on my scalp and made any dandruff I had go away. 

Two deluxe sized body washes I finished up were the Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief, and the other was the Dove Deep Moisture. I LOVED the scent of the B&BW body wash and am considering buying a full size once I use up my stash. The Dove I didn't care for. It really wasn't moisturizing to me and left my skin feeling rough. 

We used up two toothpastes the last 3 months of the year. A Colgate Total Whitening, and a Colgate Enamel Health. The Enamel Health was mine and I really liked how it made my teeth feel. I would occasionally use the Total Whitening, but it made my teeth too sensitive. 

While I was pregnant, I took the Thorne Basic Prenatal vitamin. I liked these because they contain Folate, not Folic Acid. Folic Acid is the synthetic form of Folate, and I have a disorder where my body cannot process the synthetic version. These are more expensive than other vitamins, but they were worth it to me. 

Lastly for health products, is a mini Degree deodorant. Since I was in and out of the hospital for the better part of 5 months with my daughter, I would take travel sizes since they were easier to manage. I liked this enough, but probably wouldn't buy again. 

For anyone that doesn't know, NICU's are very warm and very dry. My lips, hands and whole body took a beating, and I went through all these lip balms the last three months of 2016. I love The Body Shop lip butters, and this one was the honeymania scent. Families who have had babies in the NICU tend to give gifts here and there throughout the year,and in a gift bag I had gotten, there was the Blistex Fruit Smoothies lip balm in the Berry Explosion scent. I kid you not when I say I went through this tube in just two weeks! Last lip balm is the Serious balm in the Snickerdoodle scent. I love these balms and was sent a few, I wanna say last Spring. I still have the other two to use up and I'm sure I will get to them soon. 

Last up is some skincare! I'm fairly certain I used the BioRepublic Green Tea Detox sheet mask just before having Olivia, because I had zero time or energy to do any kind of face mask after she was born. I finally used up the First Aid Beauty Daily Face Cream that I had been working on for probably a year. I love this face cream because it's fragrance free and simple to use. The White Tea Facial Cleanser from Korres was nice, but slightly drying. I liked the scent, but this is better for me to use in the warmer months. 

I've used up more hand creams since, but the one I had finished up before the end of the year was the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream in the fragrance free version. I adore this hand cream as it's nice and thick, but is gel-like and sinks right in. I washed my hands probably 20 times a day, at least, while tending to my daughter, and needed something that would help heal the dryness and cracked skin I had. 

Total number of products used up: 15
Total for the year: 128

128 products used up in 2016 is not too bad! Considering having my daughter early, I'm pretty proud I did as well as I did. My lofty goal was to use up 250 products, and I initially wanted that to be my goal for this year as well, but I decided to be nice to myself and lower it to 150. Olivia has only been home for 2 weeks now, and we're still figuring out a good routine, so it may take a bit to get into a groove of using products efficiently. My husband and I would also like to move, maybe in the Summer, and I'd like to use up as much as I can before that. Anyway, like I said above, I will have an empties post for the first 3 months of this year up very soon, and will go back to monthly empties after that. 

Did you keep track of how many products you used up last year? 

Derma E Launches New Packaging!

*Disclosure* This post is sponsored by Derma E. All opinions are 100% honest and my own like always!

Hey guys! I have some exciting news from Derma E for you today. They are going to be launching new packaging starting Sepetember 2016 through March 2017, and I have to say, I really feel this is a wonderful change the brand is doing. 

The packaging on the left is the older packaging. To me, it's nice but very medical looking. When I'm in-store looking at products, it's not really something that stands out to me. 

The packaging on the right is the newer, fresher look. I have to say, I absolutely love it! It's calming, relaxing, and definitely something I would pick up in the store. 

You might be wondering if formulas are changing as well, and they are most definitely not! All products will still be the same great formula we all know and love, just in a newer, updated packaging. 

You may have already seen a few products in the newer packaging, like the Hydrating, Anti-Wrinkle line, Firming, and their best selling Microdermabrasion Scrub and Overnight Peel. I'm a big fan of the Microdermabrasion Scrub, and their Hydrating line is amazing for my oily skin in the colder months. 

I love both of the products pictured above. The Day Creme is great for day or night (for my skin at least), and I feel the Night Cream has a bit of extra hydration for the super dry skin types. 

As I stated above, the new packaging is rolling out slowly with the first products being the ones I already mentioned in September, and slowly introducing the others through March 2017. Derma E is available in Ulta, Whole Food's, Sprouts and Target.

I, for one, am very excited for this relaunch. I've gotten the chance to try a few different products of theirs in the past, and now with the new packaging, I feel like it's more spa-like and calming, which is definitely something I love. With a new baby on the way, I'll have to be sure and take some pampering time, and Derma E will definitely be included in that!

What do you think of the new packaging design?

June 2016 Empties

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Hey guys! I usually start off the month with my favorite products of the month prior, but in all honesty, I did absolutely nothing with makeup and hardly took care of my skin. If you've already read this post, then you know that pregnancy has been taking a toll on me. I've been exhausted and sick all the time, and just couldn't be bothered with anything beauty related. As of today, I'm just over 15 weeks along and feel (almost) like a new person! I'm still tired, but I don't feel like I could sleep all day anymore. I somehow did manage to use up a few products, so I wanted to share them with you!

I'll start off with the skincare and one lone makeup product. The When Snow Magic sheet mask was surprisingly pretty good! You all know I don't really care for sheet masks much, but this one surprised me. I actually noticed results right after, and when I woke up in the morning, my skin was so much brighter and softer. 

The Christie Brinkley Close Up Instant Wrinkle Reducer and Treatment was shit. Sorry for the language, but this was such an awful product, I have no idea why it was even made. I used it in the past as a smoother for the fine lines around my eyes and also around my smile lines. I followed directions to a T and I always ended up with flaky, white stuff on my skin. Forget putting makeup on top of this too, it makes you look like your skin is falling off. This was kindly sent to me for review, but it's time to throw it away because I will never use it. 

Next up is the DDF Amplifying Elixir. I used this as a serum underneath my moisturizer in the daytime, and I adored how soft this made my skin feel. It's incredibly liquid-y so a few times, I did squeeze out too much. This deluxe sample lasted me quite a while too. I'm not sure if I would repurchase, but it was nice while it lasted. 

The one time in June I wore makeup, I tried out the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. It was quite dried up, so in the garbage it goes. 

Lastly for skincare, I used up two sample packets of the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil. Now I can't use this directly on my skin, otherwise I breakout in tiny red bumps. What I did with these was put them into a clay mask that had dried up a bit to give it some more life, and it worked like a charm! I'm not sure what it is with this particular argan oil that I have such a strange reaction if put directly onto my skin, but mixed into a mask or a drop in my foundation is fine. 

Next up is some random body and hair products. I love Bath & Body Works handsoaps, but they're so darn expensive, even with a sale. Pumpkin Cupcake lived in my bathroom, and the Fresh Lavender stayed on my kitchen sink. Both were lovely and if I can find cheaper handsoaps in yummy scents elsewhere, then I'm abandoning B&BW unfortunately. 

I had gotten a nice PR package from Derma E and it included a deluxe size of their Scalp Relief Conditioner. This was nice, it felt cooling in my hair, but didn't do an amazing job at conditioning. I usually had to use extra leave-in conditioner after using this. 

I also have a deluxe size of the Softsoap Juicy Pomegranate & Mango Infusions Moisturizing Body Wash. The scent of this was pure heaven, and I was so sad when I was finished using it. There is a tiny bit left, but I couldn't get that out no matter how hard I tried. I may have to look for this brand next time I need body wash. 

Last up is some boring stuff, vitamins. Once I found out I was pregnant, I definitely tried my hardest to be good about taking my vitamins. Most times they made me sick, but I still tried my best! I managed to use up the Nature Made Fish Oil as well the Prenatal Multi. I would most definitely repurchase the Fish Oil, but not the Prenatal. I have a condition that I found out about and can't take vitamins containing Folic Acid. I need Folate, the real stuff. Folic Acid is synthetic, and with my condition, my body doesn't process Folic Acid like other people can. Ideally what I need to take is Methylfolate, but it's so hard finding an inexpensive vitamin that contains it. I'm still on the hunt!

Number of products used up: 12
Total for the year: 87

I didn't do too good last month. I mentioned before that my goal was to use up 250 products, and now that it's half way through the year, I don't think I see myself hitting that goal. Unless I use up a bunch of samples and deluxe sized products, it's gonna be tough. I'm still trying my best of course, and I'm making it my mission in July to start taking better care of my skin and wearing makeup more often. 

What did you use up last month?

May 2016 Favorites

Hey guys! I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't really been blogging lately. So many things are going on in the home front right now, and I'm just trying to get my ducks in a row. I'll be able to talk more about what's going on in the next couple weeks, so please bear with me! That being said, I have not been into makeup at all this past month, and aside from wearing lipgloss a few times, I've been bare-faced the entire time. I do have just a few standout products that aren't makeup, so I wanted to share them with you!

*Post contains affiliate links*

I just have these three products to talk about. The first two are from Derma e, and the first product is their Psorzema Creme. I was very generously sent a nice little package from Derma e and BrandBacker, and I did a sponsored post here reviewing this creme. This creme is basically a miracle worker if you have incredibly dry skin. It even has worked on the little keratosis pilaris bumps that I have on the backs of my arms. I love that this creme is unscented and it sinks in incredibly fast, but hydrates insanely well.

In the Derma e package, they had also sent their Scalp Relief Shampoo. I was excited to try this because I have mad dandruff that my usual dandruff shampoo wasn't taking care of like it usually does. For a shampoo that says it's sulfate-free, this stuff lathers up really well and makes my hair and scalp feel super clean. There is a minty tingly feel to this shampoo, which I've appreciated lately with the hot and humid weather we've been having. This has definitely helped to calm down my dandruff and has made my scalp less itchy as well. 

The last product I have just adored is The Body Shop Honeymania Lip Balm. You all know my love for The Body Shop products, and their lip butters are fantastic. I usually have an issue with the lip butters that are white in color, like the Coconut and Shea scents, where they leave a nasty white cast on my lips, so I'd reserve them for bedtime use only. This stuff goes on basically clear, and has got to be one of the most hydrating lip balms I've ever tried in my life! No joke, this stuff rocks. I even use it in the morning after brushing my teeth sometimes and it leaves my lips nice and soft for hours. There is no flavor but the scent is to die for, and it reminds me of when I used to work at The Body Shop many years ago. 

What were some of your favorites last month?

Review: derma e Psorzema Creme

*Disclosure* This post is sponsored thanks to derma e and Brandbacker. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always

Hey guys! Today I'm going to be sharing with you a product that is absolutely incredible for helping with eczema, psoriasis, or just really dry, flaky and itchy skin. I had the chance to try out the derma e Psorzema Creme, and let me tell you, it's fantastic!

First off, here is derma e's backstory of Plant Powered “Non-Prescriptions”:

If you’re living with eczema or psoriasis, you know how painful, frustrating, and even embarrassing it can be. Recurring patches of dry, red, itchy, flaky, irritated skin can make you want to hide.

You may have turned to prescription treatments or over-the-counter products only to be dissatisfied with the results, or the fact that they contain ingredients like steroids, coal tars or pine tars. The good news is that we’ve formulated something incredibly effective, and so safe that the entire family could use it.

derma e Psorzema® Crème
is made with a safe and effective blend of herbal extracts and skin vitamins such as Neem, Burdock, Bearberry, Vitamins A and E to help soften and soothe dry, irritated, scaling skin. It’s natural blend of ingredients help reduce redness and encourage healthy looking skin without the use of steroids, coal tar or pine tar.

The results
Aside from experiencing eczema and psoriasis symptom relief, participants were pleased with the overall feel and look of their skin.
• 96% felt very moisturizing
• 92% felt soothing upon application
• 88% helped skin look healthier
• 72% helped relieve itching 

For me, I do not have psoriasis and I feel for anyone who does, because I can tell it just looks so painful and irritating. There are times throughout the year where I get eczema, and it makes my skin feel so dry and itchy, and I go through so many different lotions and creams, hoping it'll provide me with relief. I tend to have eczema flare-ups on my arms in the Winter, and then again in Spring when the weather doesn't know if it wants to be warm or cold. Lately, it's been raining pretty much for 2 weeks straight and it's colder than normal, so of course it's making my skin freak out. I couldn't wait to give this a go and see how it worked for me. 

The product comes in a 4 ounce jar with a twist off lid. The cream is thick and white, but it melts into the skin perfectly and doesn't leave a greasy residue. The blend of different vitamins in this product help to soothe and soften my skin almost instantly. There is no distinguishable scent that I can tell, and it's not overpowering at all. 

derma e has a video on YouTube, which you can watch here, to learn more about this product and you can see results that others have experienced.  

If you have any of these skin issues, I do recommend giving this product a try. It's helped out my skin and has made it feel softer and less flaky and itchy. 

derma e does have a disclaimer on their site that states: "Psoriasis and Eczema usually have an internal component that needs to be addressed in order to resolve the condition completely. We highly recommend you work with a natural healthcare practitioner to help resolve this condition. There are many types of skin conditions, and what works for one individual may not work for others."

You can find Psorzema at health food stores as well as the derma e website for $19.95.  

What do you think of this product? 

January 2016 Favorites

*Post contains affiliate links*

Hi everyone! It's February now, and to be honest, I hope this month just flies by. Anyway, I have a few favorite products to share with you that have stood out to me whenever I use them. 

The first product I have to talk about is the Valentia Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask. I've done a full review of this here, but I just have to say how amazing this mask is! After I use a detoxifying mask, I use a hydrating one, and this was my go-to. It looks like I'm spreading banana on my face, but it leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft, plump and moisturized. There is a bit of a tingle that goes away after a few minutes, but it's not bothersome. If I'm being honest, I think this mask gives the Glamglow hydrating mask a run for its money. It does virtually the same thing, is a heck of alot cheaper, but the scents are different, which I feel the Glamglow wins on that. This one smells kinda strange, whereas the Glamglow smells like coconuts and the beach. 

Next up is an old favorite, Covergirl 3-in-1 Foundation in the shade 805 Ivory. I know I put this in my November favorites, but guys, this foundation is truly amazing. I have yet to come across a drugstore foundation that is just as good as this one. The only downside at the moment is that this is the lightest shade available, and I'm so pale right now that it's just a hair too dark, but I make it work. This foundation just blends so nicely, provides a solid medium coverage, and lasts on my typically oily skin. 

Another Covergirl product that has my attention is their Plumpify Mascara. I have a review of this here, and I feel that it makes my lashes look pretty darn good after just one coat. Once I start doing two coats is where I get a bit of clumping, but it's nothing a spoolie can't take care of. The brush is pretty massive, so it took a bit getting used to applying it, but once I got the hang of it, I feel like my lashes look longer and it keeps a curl all day. 

Something that I've been meaning to put in my favorites for the last few months, but keep forgetting, is the Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush. I don't think you can buy this separately, only in a set, but it's incredible! Now, I don't actually use this for applying foundation. Believe it or not, I hate using brushes for foundation. I use this brush to apply my face masks. Seriously, this is life changing for me! I think I saw someone on YouTube use a smaller foundation brush to apply a mask, and then it popped in my head that I had this brush that I never used before. So I used it, and found it applies the perfect amount to my skin without me using my fingers and wasting a whole bunch of product. I'm sure there are other brushes out there similar to this one, but I highly recommend buying the set this is in if you're curious about using it to apply face masks. 

My last favorite is the Derma E Firming DMAE Eye Lift. I have a review here, and I've been loving what this does for the skin around my eyes. The longer I use this, the more I notice that my eyes just feel better. It's helped so much with the tiny dehydration lines I've been getting, my eyes look brighter and the skin feels alot softer. I don't have wrinkles around my eyes, but I honestly think this eye cream may help with them with continued use. If I can see results after using this, then I think you may too!

Those are my favorites for January! What products were you enjoying last month?

Review: Derma E Firming DMAE Eye Lift #NOTICETHELOTUS

*Disclosure* This post is sponsored thanks to Derma E and BrandBacker. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always

Hi everyone! I was so excited to be chosen to talk about the Derma E Firming DMAE Eye Lift. You all know I love a good eye cream, and Derma E is known for being free of parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and petrolatum, as well as cruelty-free, gluten-free and 100% vegan!

Derma E is now selling a few of their products at Target, with the Firming DMAE Eye Lift being one of them. I've tried just a couple Derma E products in the past, and have always been impressed. I definitely love what the company stands for in regards to animal welfare and taking care of the planet. 

The Derma E DMAE Eye Lift is said to visibly lift, firm and tighten the delicate eye area, while smoothing crow's feet. DMAE is clinically proven to boost collagen for firmer, more resilient skin. InstaLift® Goji Berry glycopeptides add further firming, lifting and tightening antioxidant power. Advanced peptides Argireline® and Matrixyl® synthe'6® work together to soften facial muscles and synthesize new key components such as collagen, helping smooth wrinkles and discourage new lines from forming. Hyaluronic Acid, also known as nature's moisture magnet, infuses a surge of cooling eye moisture helping leave skin soft, smooth, tone and rehydrated. With continued use, this is said to leave the eye area firmer, smoother and younger looking. 

Since I started using this, I can definitely tell a difference with the skin around my eyes. I used this morning and night for about a week, then just at night for another week and a half. I love how hydrating this feels while sinking in fast, and it just feels like my eyes are brighter and smoother. I don't have wrinkles yet, but I do get dehydration lines. Those are gone since starting to use this!

There is a video on YouTube that you can watch here to see the results people have gotten from using this eye cream, and some of them are pretty fantastic! 

Now that Derma E is at Target, what are you planning to pick up? Next time I go, I definitely want to see what they have to offer (along with buying some things I probably don't need, but hey, that's what Target does to you!).

July 2013 Ipsy Bag

Hi everyone! I feel like it's been a while since I've posted anything on here! My work schedule has been kinda crazy and on days off my fiance and I typically have things to do so I've rarely had time to post. Sorry guys! Anyways, I received my Ipsy bag in the mail a few days ago, and I'm pretty excited for it! This month's theme was Beach Beauty.

The bag everything came in is so adorable! My favorite color is pink and I think this is so cute for travel or just to put a few things in your purse without having them get lost. I also love that we got some skincare goodies too!

The first product I received is the Coola Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 20. I've heard of the Coola brand before but have never tried anything of theirs. I'm a little hesitant to use this only because the SPF is a bit low for my liking. I usually go for at least SPF 30, but I typically use SPF 50. I do like that this is unscented so hopefully it won't irritate my skin.

The next product is the Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray. I'm excited to try this if I go to the beach at all this Summer, or if I go to a friend's house to go swimming. My hair tends to dry out from the chlorine in pools and with this having argan oil in it, I'm hoping it helps with conditioning my hair. I'm definitely taking this with me on my honeymoon too.

Second skincare goody! I get so excited when I can try out new skincare products. This is the derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub. I've never tried any products from this brand before but this looks promising as it's supposed to help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars. I love how this smells too! Kinda like a minty lemon, which is awesome to me and perfect for Summer.

Next up is the POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in the color Coral Crush. This is just another one of those twist up lip crayons everyone's raving about. I've tried the Covergirl ones but not this one. I think this is a UK brand but apparently you can find it at Ulta. I've never seen this brand at my Ulta, but then again I've never really looked for it. 

The swatch of this came out nicely pigmented and it felt nice on my skin. It seems to be pretty moisturizing. I'm not the hugest fan of corals, but this color looks more pink on my skin, which I'm totally fine with. If it's an orange-y coral, I'd probably not use it.

The last product I received is the BH Cosmetics California Collection Eyeshadow Sample. I was actually really excited to get this because I have quite a few BH eyeshadow palettes and I love the quality of them. Their prices are also really good and there are always sales going on the website. I love the colors in this little palette, but wasn't impressed with the swatches...

These barely show up on my skin! Granted, I didn't use a primer underneath these, but still, the other palettes BH has are amazing! I was super disappointed in the purple shade because it looks so dark in the palette. The yellow was the most pigmented and the bronze color is alright, but I'll have to try these on my eyes with a primer to see how they really look. I probably won't get the California palettes. I'll stick with the 88 and 120 color palettes, since those have never disappointed me.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with this bag! I'm really happy to have finally gotten some skincare and I can't wait to try out everything. Ipsy has come such a long way since I've been with them, and I feel it's a good investment for only $10 a month, especially since I've gotten to try products from brands I've never tired before. If you've never tried Ipsy and want to, I'd love it if you used my referral link to sign up! Thanks for reading!

What did you get in your Ipsy bag?