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Fall Beauty Favorites Under $25 (& Amazon Gift Card Giveaway)

Abby H.3 Comments

It’s fall, it’s finally not 90 degrees all day long in Southern California. I’ve been tweaking my self-care routine to incorporate everything I need to keep my body looking and feeling good. Some of these items are not 100% skincare/beauty-related, but remember that self-care is more than slapping a mask on and relaxing on the couch!

Here are some of my favorites that come in at $25 or less:

These Microfiber Facial Cloths are quick drying, wash up well (I wash mine in a large lingerie bag), and you get 12 for a little over a dollar a piece!

These Stella and Grace undereye patches are just one of my go-to eye patches. They are a cooling gel that infuses the under-eye area. Did you know that our undereye area has no oil glands? After you’ve enjoyed an eye mask, make sure to keep that area hydrated with an eye cream. I’m digging Global Beauty Care Smooth & Lift Collagen Eye Cream with Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid, and squalane. You can buy it on Amazon, but I recently found it at Dollar Tree of all places (Shout out to Dollar Tree for having some pretty decent skincare lately- remember to read the ingredients and know what active ingredients you are looking for!).

If you are like me and take meds twice a day and HATE refilling the stupid little containers every week, here is my savior… A 28 day pill organizer that has a day and a night area for each day.

28 days is perfect- That way it reminds you to check with the pharmacy or your doctor to get another refill.

As the weather gets colder, our poor feet need love too. I’m all about compression socks to keep the fluid retention down. I also love doing Legs up the Wall in the evening to help with circulation. Slather some of O’Keefe’s Foot Cream, pull on a pair of compression socks and chill with my legs up the wall for 20 minutes.  I have chonky claves, so I need the wide calf socks, but Levsox sells compression socks for all-sized calves in tons of cute patterns.

My absolute favorite bubble bath and bath salts are from Dr. Teals. They have melatonin, lavender, and chamomile. Target frequently has these on sale or as part of a beauty gift card deal. Even the kids like it!

If you are looking for something to help with your sleep routine, I use ASUTRA Magnesium Body Butter Lotion Lavender Scent. It contains Shea Butter and Almond Oil, and the magnesium can help calm your body for rest. It really helped Bitty Bird when she was having problems turning her brain off to sleep.

And finally, I’ve really gotten into Gua Sha facial massage over the past few months. It’s really helped with the dark circles under my eyes, and increased the blood flow to my face (but honestly all massage does this). I have a tool like this one (I bought mine at Dollar Tree), and I use this Glide Oil, but you can use any serum or facial cream. Tina Enego has some great videos and follow alongs on You Tube.

I’d love to hear about your favorite fall self-care. Drop a comment and be entered to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. I’ll choose a winner on 11/20/2023 and notify you via email. The gift card will be delivered via email. 

5 Tips for Moisturized Skin this Winter!

Abby H.1 Comment

dsc07774It’s finally starting to chill out here in Southern California at night. I love taking a hot shower when it’s cold, but combine that with the dry winds and low humidity and that means dry, itchy skin. Here are five tips to help keep your skin smooth and supple this winter!

  1. Don’t take a hot shower. I know, the temptation is there, but take a warm shower. The hot water strips the moisture from your skin. If you love a steamy bathroom, put a bucket in the shower, and turn the water on very hot, allowing the water to be caught in the bucket. Save the water to water your plants or grass with (after it’s cooled). Then when it’s time to hop into the shower, turn the temp down, pull out the bucket and enjoy the steam and a warm shower!
  2. Dry brush! Dry brushing is a great way to sweep away dead skin, and increase blood flow. It also helps move lymph through your body, which some people say is one of the keys to a good detox. I use this dry brush set– I love it. Here is a great video about dry brushing.
  3. screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-4-07-54-pmExfoliate! Using a moisturizing exfoliant will sweep away the dead skin cells, which is what gives your skin that ashy dry appearance. I like the 100% Natural Arabica Coffee Body Scrub from New York Biology. It’s moisturizes with Organic Arabica Seed Oil, Cacao Extract, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Olive Oil, and Organic Grape Seed Oil. It uses Coffee and salt to scrub away the dead skin cells. Oh, and it smells GREAT!
  4. Moisturize! Lock in the moisture from the shower with a high quality body lotion or body butter. Avoid products that contain Mineral Oil, Petroleum, and Petrolatum. These ingredients are not absorbed by your body, but leave an occlusive film on your skin. Some people like using straight Coconut oil. I prefer using the lotion bars from Little Red Howse.
  5. Drink Water! I know, you’ve heard that you need 8 glasses a day, but really, it’s important to keep your body hydrated from the inside by making sure you get plenty of liquid! Water is best, but juice, milk, and yes, even coffee count too. Just make sure that you are drinking more non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages, as excessive amounts of both can lead to dehydration or other ill effects. I use these powdered stick beverages in at least 2 of my 20 ounce water glass (which is really just a shaker bottle) each day. You can also infuse water with fruit. I have this pitcher in the fridge with lemons and cucumbers in it right now!

I’d love to hear your tips for keeping your skin moisturized this winter!