Top 5 Face Masks

Face masks are literally the "icing on the cake" when it comes to skincare. Doing a mask 2-3 times a week will really help achieve your skincare goals. These are my top masks from each category.

1. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial - chemical exfoliating mask
2. Boscia Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask - peeling mask
3. Chanel Hydra Beauty Mask - hydrating mask
4. Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask - clearing mask 
5. EVE LOM Rescue Mask - calming mask

Sephora VIB Rouge Sale!

Sephora has a Beauty Insiders Appreciation Event going on currently where, depending on your level,  you receive 15%-20% off. Skincare and makeup rarely go on sale so this is a great time to stock up on your regular products or try some new things! I have had my eye on some new skincare but was waiting until this promotion to take the plunge. Here are some of the things that I picked up during the sale!

1. Herbivore Prism Exfoliating Glow Potion 
2. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops 
3. Tatcha Bestsellers Set
• Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil
• Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder 
• Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
• The Water Cream
4. Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen 
5. Kopari Coconut Deodorant

I will update you once I have had the chance to use each product and let you know my thoughts! As I stated in my Nighttime Skincare Routine Post, I only incorporate one new product at a time as to not overwhelm my skin! I hope you get a chance to pick up some new products during the sale!

Nighttime Skincare Routine

I love skincare. Because of that, I tend to switch up my products often unless something really stands out. I do have more sensitive skin so I try and only switch up 1 product at a time. That is a tip when trying new skincare, try to add only 1 new product at a time to see how your skin reacts. In the past, I have tried to use a multiple new products at the same time and my skin didn't react well. The problem was that I didn't know which product caused it! So, stick with slowly incorporating newer items. My skin is also combination (dry with oily t-zone) with a tendency to get dehydrated. I like to evaluate my skin nightly before I start my routine to see what is really needs so I can adjust my routine to fit. Here are the current products in my nightly rotation.

1. Cleanse - if I am wearing a lot of make-up I do a double cleanse. That means that you use a product to first remove the make-up and then another product to actually cleanse your skin.
• Julep 'love your bare face' Oil -used as a first cleanse Link
• Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - very gentle second cleanse Link
• Indie Lee Rose-hip Cleanser - second cleanse Link
2. Tone - I really like when products come in a spray bottle as I feel like when you put toner on a cotton pad it wastes a lot of product.
• Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner Link
3. Serum - this step is to treat any concerns you might have. 
• No7 Early Defence Glow Activating Serum Link
4. Eye Cream - apply this before your treatment and moisturizers
• Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Concentrate Link
• Kopari Coconut Melt Link
5. Treatment - these are the products that I switch up depending on how my skin is feeling/looking. If I do one of these steps, I usually skip step 6
• Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate - almost like an oil and I use that if I need to calm my skin or if has hormonal breakouts Link
• Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid - I try to do this 2-3 times a week because it really helps exfoliate my skin. I really notice a difference in the morning. Link
• Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil - this is a retinol type oil so when I need a little extra help with hormonal breakouts I use this sparingly around my chin and t-zone. Link
6. Moisturize - very important to hydrate your skin! You can either use oils, creams, gels, milks, etc. Whatever works for your skin type. 
• Kopari Save Face Oil - this is the best oil I have ever used. It sinks right into the skin and leaves it really soft. Link
• Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins - this I use less often since discovering the Kopari oil but if I feel like using a cream I will reach for this. Link
• Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil - I mix this oil with the Kopari if my skin is feeling extra dry because it is a heavier oil Link
7. Lips - love lip balm! My husband asks that I kiss him goodnight first before lathering this on because he HATES lip products but appreciates my soft lips, its a compromise. I usually keep these products in my night stand and apply it right before falling asleep.
• Kopari Coconut Lip Glossy Link
• Lanolips Lemonaid Lip Treatment Link
• Clinique Pep-Start Pout Restoring Night Mask Link

Crawl under the sheets and dream away!

*some of these products I didn't mention because they may be used in my morning skincare routine. 

Vacation Bag Essentials - Theme Park Edition

I just got back from a weekend trip to Universal Orlando with my husband. We are annual pass-holders so we make this trip multiple times a year. Given how frequently we go, I have a pretty good handle on what to bring with me and what to leave at home. I have included a lot of my July stand out products in this post as well so check that out if you want more details. Blog Link I am leaving out the basics like your toothbrush and deodorant because I figure everyone (I hope) doesn't leave home without those! You can always use the toiletries (shampoo/conditioner/body wash) that the hotel provides but I don't like the count on those because they aren't always something I will like. 

• Vera Bradley Travel bag
• I can hang it on the hook in the bathroom and it keeps everything organized and out of the way. Link 
• Hair Brush
• This sounds like a no brainer but I accidentally forgot mine once and had to go to the hotel shop to pick up whatever they had.  My hair was destroyed, so needless to say this is something I never forget! I usually pack my Wet Brush and it covers all my bases. Link
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• You can either pick up travel containers to put your favorite set in or you can use travel size versions. I have a pile of travel size hair products so I tend to find a moisturizing combo for the weekend. 
• Leave-in conditioner
• Your hair is in the sun all day and will be thrown around on rides, give it the TLC it deserves after the shower. This will keep your hair hydrated and help fight the tangles.
• Hair spray
• I use this very sparingly because to be honest, my hair isn't going to stay in place no matter what I put it in.  However, if I am doing a braid this helps tame the fly-aways. 
• Hair ties and bobby-pins
• Something you don't want to forget! I always have to have my hair away from my face when I am going to be outside.  Also, if I am riding a roller coaster, I don't want my hair all over my face.
• Purity Face Wash
• This is a great simple face wash and, since I am not wearing that much make-up, I don't need to double cleanser. 
• Yes-to Cucumbers Face Wipes
• We usually take a mid-day break back to the hotel room to relax and I like to give my face a quick refresh.  You can also just pack these instead of a cleanser but I like to pack both. 
• Kopari Save Face Oil
• Your skin is depleted after a day in the sun so this is perfect to help hydrate morning and night. Blog Link 
• Urban Decay One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector
• This is a great tinted moisturizer that includes sunscreen.  Exactly as it says, one & done. Blog Link 
• Shiseido "concealer"
• I had a few breakouts that I wanted a little extra coverage. This concealer has SPF in it and helps with dark spots Link 
• Maybelline Tattoo Brow Gel
• This brow product stays in place all day which is exactly what I want in the Florida sun at a theme park.  Hello humid days of 100 degrees! Blog Link 
• Body wash
• Whatever I have in travel size and smells delicious 
• Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen SPF 30  Blog Link 

Sea Salt Hair Products

It's summertime and we want to add that beachy lived-in texture to our hair!  I don't know about you but when my hair comes out the salt water, it looks like a wet mop.  Instead, I try to fake it with a help from a few products. This is a list of beach texture products that I have tried; good, bad, and ugly. These products come in multiple formulas like salt sprays, leave-in conditioner for air drying, scrunchy gel/spray, etc.

To give you a quick run down on my hair, I have naturally blonde hair with high/low lights throughout. My mother is a hairdresser so I do get it chemically treated quite often (lucky girl, I know).  My hair is really thick and curls very easy.  If I go to bed with my hair wet, I can wake up with wavy hair which I would tweak with the below products to make it presentable.  If I need extra help, I will use a hair wand (curling iron, etc.) to give my hair a more "structured" curl and then spray products in after to give texture (and smell)!

First thing I want to mention, I am all about smells.  If I am going to spray a product into my hair, especially a finishing product, it better smell good! Some of the below items I have eliminated based on smell...sorry not sorry.  Also, I don't like anything to make my hair crispy looking or sticky. 

• Alterna Bamboo Beach - This smells like sun tan lotion, but in a good way for summer.  It also hydrates your hair and helps prevent UV damage. This collection usually comes out only around summer. Link
• Biosilk Silk Therapy Beach Texture Spray - I have re-bought this product because I love the smell of Biosilk. It gives slight hydration but not much. This is one of my favorites on the market because it does give my hair that texture I'm looking for. Link
• IGK Beach Club Spray - This is more of a finishing spray. My hair is already thick so I wasn't the biggest fan of this product. If you have thinner hair, it may be nice to give you some volume. Link
• Ouai Wave Spray - I sprayed this once and haven't used it since.  The smell is so perfumed that I simply couldn't take it.  I like my hair to smell good but this immediately gave me a headache. I like other products from Ouai but this isn't a good one, in my opinion. Link
• Bumble & Bumble Surf Infusion/Surf Spray - Both of these products are so similar that I wanted to bundle them together. If you are going to get one over the other, I would suggest the Surf Infusion because it also has oil in it to give your hair a little hydration.  This one is a cult favorite but, to be honest, there are better products out there so save your money. Link
• Bumble & Bumble Foam Spray Blow Dry - This product is used more like a mousse.  You are spraying it throughout your hair before blow or air drying.  It's ok but to be honest, when I blow dry it takes the wave out so I don't really understand this product. Link
• Drybar Mai Tai Spritzer - You are buying this for the name and smell.  I do really like it but it wasn't anything to write home about.  Again, there are better products out there. Link
• TIGI Catwalk Texturizing Salt Spray - This spray made my hair crispy so I used it sparingly and doesn't smell very good.  I remember using this up but will not repurchase. Link
• Redken Beach Envy Volume Wave Aid - Bad smell, crispy (more so than the TIGI) and I used it only twice and moved on quickly.  I even have the shampoo/conditioner and wasn't wowed. If I am planning on using salt sprays I like to use hydrating products in the shower because I don't want to mess up my cuticle and give too much texture.  See tip below. Link
• Pureology Style + Protect Beach Waves Sugar Spray - This smells like a cleaning product, similar to the Ouai, so I didn't use it after my first use. Link
• Pureology Sea Kissed Texturizer - This helps if you have highlights to give you a little lift in your color.  I did notice a little brightening in my hair but nothing extreme. (Couldn't find the link, it's probably discontinued)
• Herbivore Sea Mist - If you want to give your hair a boost of smell, then you could use this. This is more of a hair fragrance than a texturizer.  It has a fresh, coconut smell that isn't too overwhelming.  This does nothing to the texture of my hair. This product is simply over priced for what it does. Link

TIP - If you are using a salt spray, I suggest using a deep conditioning mask in the shower after because it does tend to dry out your hair.  The hydrating formula helps a little but to keep your hair healthy, put on a hair mask in the shower.  A great product to use that can be found in your kitchen is coconut oil.  Put it on your hair before the shower and leave it on for 20 minutes or so.  You might want to shampoo your hair twice to get all of the oil out but it really helps seal the cuticle and helps me dry my hair faster.

I really want to find some good ones at the drugstore so I will probably do another post soon with those!