NEW Bioré Baking Soda Cleanser and Pore Scrub

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyBioreFizz #CollectiveBias

Bioré Baking Soda Pore Scrub

Bioré introduces a new product and just like that spring cleaning takes on an entirely different meaning for me!

New Bioré Baking Soda Cleanser

In the winter my skin can be very very dry.

But as the snow starts to melt, that changes. And so does my skincare. The new Bioré Baking Soda Cleanser and Cleansing Pore Scrub are exactly what my combination skin has been needing.

Both products exfoliate my dry flaky skin, without irritating it. The Cleansing Pore Scrub is unlike any product I’ve ever used, here’s how you use it:

Start by pouring some of the scrub (about the size of a quarter) into your hand, after wetting your face.

Then add water and watch as it really start to fizz!

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Apply the “fizz” to your face and then gently massage it and feel it as penetrates your pores. What I really like about this product is that you have complete and total control over the level of exfoliation.

Too coarse?

Add more water.

Want to dial it up a bit?

Add more powder.

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Rinse.

And then just pat dry with a face towel.

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Now you’re all spring clean!

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While the scrub is super fun to use, for daily use, I recommend using the Bioré Baking Soda Pore Cleanser.

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If you have oily skin, as I tend to in the summer, you should try Bioré Charcoal products instead.

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All of which is available to pick up on your next trip to Walmart!

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How much do you want to try out the new Bioré Baking Soda Pore Scrub?

xx

Better Beauty with Beautycounter

Better Beauty

I know I’m not exactly the healthiest person, but one of my goals this year is to try to be more conscientious of what I put into my body. As well as what I put onto my body.

This is much easier said than done.

Especially with makeup.

But Beautycounter is out to change that.

I met up with Emily of Beautycounter to learn about the products they offer and test some of them out for myself.

Collection

I had already sampled their Body Glow Scrub and Hydrate Body Lotion, because they were in the Monarch Workshop swag bag.

ScrubBeautycounter EverydayBarsRoseLustro Face OilEvery Day and Night Countertime

But it was the makeup that I really wanted to try out!

Pair

My personal favorite product (that I will most definitely be getting), is the Touchup Skin Concealer Pen.Touchup Skin Concealer PenLipstick

Unexpectedly, I also really liked the Color Contour Matte Brozner (in No. 2). I didn’t think it would be dark enough, but it created a very natural looking contour.
BlushLip Gloss

Using the brushes was a real treat!

I seriously want them all. Brush Collection

Safe beauty is better beauty.
Lip ConditionerHere’s the before and after…

Beautycounter BeforeBeautycounter After

Face: Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer in No. 5, Touchup Concealer Pen in No. 2,  Color Sweep Blush Duo in Tawny/Whisper and Color Contour Matte Bronzer in No. 2
Eyes: Color Outline Eye Pencil in Black and Color Define Brow Pencil in Dark
Lips: Lip Gloss in Sienna

A nice, yet naturally enhancing, look. And you can still clearly see the difference.

xx

If you’re interested in learning more about Beautycounter, you can contact Emily, here!

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Ocean Mineral Cleanser

Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser

I’d told myself, that I was going to use up the skincare products I have before trying any more new ones.

But Oz Naturals changed my mind with their Ocean Mineral Cleanser. I mean, they pretty much always do that to me, their products are vegan and organic, so I can almost never resist.

Skin Science Nature

Really, they had me at ocean.

That and organic rose hip oil.

Oz Natural Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser

I’ve been using it for over a week now and I really like it. It gets my face clean, but gently. After I clean off my makeup, I wash my face with the Ocean Mineral Cleanser so make sure there won’t be any makeup stains on my pillows. Hasn’t let me down yet!

Cleanser and Body Scrub Ocean Mineral and Sea Salt Scrub

Now if only using it could make it summer and put me on a beach by the ocean somewhere…

xx

Notice the Lotus at Target

Notice the Lotus

Even though there are plenty of times I’ve been mistaken for much younger, I am almost basically 30.

I haven’t spotted any major signs of aging, but have given a lot more thought to my skincare routine.

And like many other 20 (almost 30) something year olds, I spend a lot of time at Target.

So, I was very happy to notice the lotus on the the Target shelves. Hearing that derma e, a brand that I use frequently, is now at Target is huge! Not that I’m against online shopping, it’s just so much easier to pick up things while I’m already out.

Plus, it’s motivates me to try new products.

Like their Firming DMAE Eye Lift cream.
derma e Firming DMAE Eye Lift

Since I don’t really have many to begin with, this was more preemptive on my part.

A little, but helpful, trick that also helps? Use your ring finger to pat on eye creams! The eye area is super sensitive, avoid tugging on it.
Use Your Ring Finger

Wrinkles and fine lines? Not on my face!
If you need me, I’ll be at Target.

xx

The Pros and Cons of Proactiv

3 Step System
Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

Back in high school, I never thought I’d be someone that needed use Proactiv. I may have gotten a tiny pimple all of like once or twice.

The Pros and Cons of Proactiv

But in college, that changed.

Zits started to regularly pop up all over my face.

In particularly, they favored my forehead, making it look like I slept on pizza instead of my pillow. Here’s proof…
Me Before ProActiv

Some of you may be thinking, that this isn’t that bad.

But this photo was taken shortly after I had started using Proactiv. Plus, it was the summer so my skin is in it’s most radiant state.

Except for my forehead.

I tried anything I could get my hands on (thank you work study paychecks)! Proactiv was the only product that completely cleared up my skin.

Recently, I started to break out again. It usually does in the winter, because of my moisturizer usage. But this time it was much worse. It’s been my forehead all over again, only on the bottom half of my face.

I’ve hear of adult acne, but come on! Seriously?

So, I started using Proactiv again (well, Proactiv Plus).

Skin Smoothing Exfoliator Pore Targeting Treatment Complexion Perfecting Hydrator

Pros: Effective (like I said, it was literally the only product that cleared up my skin), a little goes a long way and the amount of product you receive can last over two months. I also happened to already have some (after discovering that extreme stress also triggers my skin to breakout). 

Cons: One thing I noticed about Proactiv is that typically my skin will get a little worse before it gets better. It’s kind of addictive. Not in a I need it, I need it sense, but more of a if you stop using it your skin tends to go back to looking like pizza really is bae. It can also be costly, especially if you go to cancel your subscription. 

Proactiv Plus

For me, the pros outweighed the cons. Plus, this time I noticed that my skin didn’t get at all worse and started to clear up almost instantly!

Do you get break outs? Share how you treat them in the comments below.

xx

What I Use for Dark Circles

derma e Products

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

Aside from the occasional breakout, adjusting my skincare routine for the colder weather has been great.

But the holidays have really taken their toll and without makeup on, the dark circles under my eyes make me look even more exhausted than I feel.

Time to readjust. Because I do not want to start the new year off looking tired, these dark circles have got to go.

My Winter Skincare Routine

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

Even though my little nook of New England hasn’t seen any snow stick, and it’s still technically fall, the air has been brisk. And my skin has been dry. Really dry.

So dry, that I’ve had to make a few alterations.

3 Products for a Deep Facial Cleansing

After Halloween and all of my exaggerated makeup looks, my skin hasn’t been too happy with me.

A deep clean was very much needed.

What did I use to give myself a deep facial cleansing?

Barefaced and Beautiful

While volunteering at a local beauty event, I discovered a new local skincare brand.

And you guys, I’m OBSESSED.

Palmetto Derma Eye Cream

Palmetto Derma products are all paraben and sulfate-free. And vegan!
Plus, 1% of their profits goes to Breast Cancer Awareness.

Palmetto Derma

I’ve tired a number of skincare systems, but not really any cleansers.

With the Palmetto Derma lavender water and tea tree oil daily cleanser, my face is actually clean. Kiss those clogged pores goodbye!

Stay Clear Cleanser

As you know, I can never get enough of multitasking products, so this rose water and aloe toning facial spray is something I consider a major must have. And it even comes in a set with the cleanser!
Get Glowing TonerNatural. Organic. Plus cruelty free AND local?!

Natural and Organic LocalAs much as I love makeup, I want to be comfortable enough in my own skin to not feel like I need it. And Palmetto Derma actually supports that in their mission.

I dig that.

A lot.

Barefaced

Healthy skin means a barefaced and beautiful you!

xx

 

Rice (and Green Tea) for Your Face

I like rice.

Typically as a side or in a stuffed bell pepper, but as an exfoliant? I’ll bite.

Oz Naturals Review

Not a salt shaker.

At first I wasn’t sure how this was going to work. I’ve used others before and was not a stranger to OZ Naturals, I just hadn’t tried anything like this.

OZ Naturals Rice Enzyme Exfoliant

It’s really a rice enzyme powder so you just add water and rub it onto you face. No big deal. Except big deal, you can really feel the grit to it as it scrubs!

It's a powder!

This wasn’t my favorite exfoliant, the powder can get everywhere and I’m already a messy enough person on my own. I also didn’t love the container, I didn’t even notice the top was set to close, since it still came out, when I finally figured it out I decided to store it in a plastic bag, which I highly recommend.

OZ Naturals Rice Enzyme Exfoliant

All that being said, I didn’t hate it. My face was left feeling clean and the green tea extract made it so that my skin wasn’t irritated.

What’s your favorite face scrub?

xx

This post is sponsored by OZ Natural, but the opinions are my own.