 In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions and millions of people have found themselves stuck at home with nothing to do and nowhere to go, just longing for anything to take their mind off their new norm. I am one of those people. The first week of social distancing I was BORED OUT OF MY MIND!!! Y’all can relate, right? Well at the end of the week, after eating like a broke college kid, drinking at least a whole barrel of wine and acting like the biggest couch potato, I got out of the shower and looked at my skin and DAYUMMM! I have always suffered with basically every skin problem known to man; dry, oily, acne, large pores, fine lines, deep wrinkles… you name it, I’ve dealt with it, but this was THE WORST! I knew it was time to try something new and so I started doing a little research. I tried a wide variety of products and have summed up my top 5. Out of the 20 or so that I tried, I quit using most of them after the first week as I didn’t like how my skin reacted or I didn’t feel like it made any difference. However... These 5 have SERIOUSLY changed my skin. So here’s the breakdown!  1. Body Prescriptions Vitamin C Face Wipes I have used face wipes of all kinds over the years, but NEVER have I fell in love with one like this. These are infused with Vitamin C to promote hydration and nourish the skin. I have used Vitamin C serums before, but I never really saw a ton of improvement, so I was shocked with how amazing my skin felt when I used these. My skin felt so soft and hydrated immediately after using. I used it as my primary facewash at the end of the night a couple of times (I’m lazy. Don’t judge.) and it took off so much makeup and grime that I didn’t even feel bad about not using soap. I seriously felt like my skin was glowing. Of all of the products I tried, if I missed a night using these, I could definitely tell the next day. To try these awesome masks, CLICK HERE!  2. Peter Thomas Firm Peeling Gel This one I was super excited about trying. I’d seen it at Sephora before and had considered buying it, but I finally bit the bullet after doing more research. It’s a very different product than I’ve ever used before. You basically rub the gel on your face and it resurfaces your skin and gives you a mini facial. My skin felt amazing! I used it once every 3 days or so and could definitely see a difference. Word of advice, however, make sure you are leaning over the sink when you use this or it will make a huge mess of skin/gel. To try the large 3.4 oz size, CLICK HERE! To try a smaller 1 oz size, CLICK HERE!  3. Alin & Alan Vacuum Pore Cleaner I think my fiancé was more excited for me to buy this than I was. He’s a huge Dr. Pimple Popper fan, so I guess that’s understandable. We watched a few videos on how to use it without giving ourselves hickeys (hickies?) before we tried it out. I would definitely recommend using a hot towel to steam your face or use it right after you get out of the shower. Using it is super easy. It’s literally a one button machine. It was oddly satisfying seeing all of the junk it pulls out of your pores. I used it mostly for the pores on my nose and forehead, but after a couple of days getting used to it, I started using it on more of my face and DEFINITELY noticed a difference. The pores on my nose and cheeks were SO much smaller. I also noticed a lot less blackheads. I love this thing (and so does my man!) Want cleaner pores too, CLICK HERE!  4. Control Corrective Sensitive Skin Enzyme Mask So in all transparency, I didn’t buy this mask, but I will most definitely be purchasing more in the near future. I had a cocktail with a lovely woman who worked for this company at an airport bar and she gave it to me months ago and I just never tried it until now. But I sure wish I had been using it this whole time. I used this mask every 5 days for 3 weeks and saw a HUGE improvement in my overall complexion. I saw the dark circles under my eyes all but disappear, and the unevenness in my skin tone and redness drastically improve. My face felt like glass and was simply glowing. To try my FAV mask, CLICK HERE!  5. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Release Cream To be honest, I saw Jennifer Garner using this cream on a commercial, so I did a little research, read some reviews and thought, “Why not? She hasn’t aged in 20 years.” I have been delighted by this cream. It lives on my nightstand and I use it every night right before I go to sleep. On the couple of nights I have indulged in a bit too much wine and forgotten, even my fiancé has been able to notice the next morning. It just gives you a fresh, dewy look in the A.M. Wrinkle-wise, I have noticed a significant improvement in the fine lines and creping on my eyes and cheeks, and a huge improvement in the deep wrinkles on my forehead. I’m definitely considering getting the rest of this line of products. For this magical cream in the 1.7 oz, CLICK HERE! For the sample 0.5 oz, CLICK HERE! Overall, I am in love with these products. I have never been one to stick with facial products or a facial routine, but these products have given me a huge reason to: I am more confident than EVER in my own skin! Plus they gave me something new to do and try. I have seen HUGE improvements in ALL of my problem areas, plus they were super easy to use and very affordable. I hope y’all love them as much as I do!
TO SHOP THEM ALL, CLICK HERE!!! *FYI, I paid full price for all of these products, minus the random gift at the airport of the face mask, so all of this is a completely objective opinion.
4 Comments
8/10/2019 1 Comment Back to School Wines on a Budget Summer is drawing to a close and the school season is about to begin or already began for some of you. Now parents are caught up in all the hustle and bustle of meet the teachers, last minute camps and vacations, figuring out school schedules, and about a thousand other things. Not to mention the rising costs and seemingly ever-growing length of back to school supplies lists and clothing shopping trips. To help out all the moms and dads out there who may need a glass of wine or ya know... a whole bottle, I decided to put together a list of my favorite "school-themed" budget wines to help you drink your way into a successful school year! So while your picking up those last minute sneakers, crayons, and lunchables, grab a bottle, sit back, relax and enjoy!  A to Z Wineworks 2017 Pinot Gris: $15 This wine was such an amazing find and "Oregonically Grown", which is too cute! I love how simple, yet delicious this Pinot Gris is. It has amazing notes of peach, nectarine, and delicate floral scents on the nose. On the palate you will find a beautiful crisp acidity and hints of minerality. But seriously, just imagine drinking this wine, chilled to the max, and paired with a side of relaxation, because your kids are FINALLY back in school. And let's face it, it's still a million degrees outside and this will feel REEEALLLLY nice going down. Speaking of pairing... Pair this with:
 Liberty School 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon: $14 I. Love. This. Wine. This cab was SUPER impressive for the price point, and honestly, just in general. On the nose it showed hints of violets, black cherries, rich plums, and a bit of tobacco. On the palate, bright cherry, allspice, a slight oakiness really rounded out the flavor. Honestly, I could not get enough of this wine. I opened the bottle for the photo shoot for this post around ten in the morning, and I'm not going to lie....it was gone by noon. I had intentions of sharing with friends, but.......at this price point I can just go and grab another bottle! Pair this with:
 Mad Genius Cuvée Red: $16 This easy drinking red from Excelsior Wines is a blend of Syrah, Merlot, Tempranillo and Zinfandel. It has beautiful aromas of bright red berries with a touch of white pepper on the nose. As for the palate, you will find a slightly floral flavor, with hints of vanilla and toasted oak. Grabbing this wine was GENIUS! Haha...get it?!?! But seriously, this wine was such an easy drinker. It has a flavor profile that would be amazing paired with a large variety of foods. However, it was elegant, yet simple enough to be enjoyed merely paired with your favorite wine glass. Pair this with:
 Educated Guess 2017 Pinot Noir: $25 This wine was made by Roots Run Deep Winery out of California. This Pinot had a surprising acidity on the palate! With notes of black currant and blackberry upfront with a slight hint of tobacco and vanilla on the finish. The nose of this wine was like a smoked cherry. Quite fun and interesting! I am always a huge fan of Pinots in the summer and this one definitely did not disappoint. Although a little bit higher on the price point, this is the perfect wine to take to your PTO meetings or to share with your fellow parents at all your kids after school play-dates. Pair this with:
 All in all, the school year is here to stay...for the next nine months at least, so why not make the most of it! No matter what the meal or occasion, there's a wine for that. So keep yourself sane, drink some vino, and don't let your kids forget who's driving the bus!
*Prices may vary by location. **No wines were provided to me, they were chosen, tasted and described all on my own. ***You will need wine to make it through this back to school season. 12/21/2018 1 Comment The Luxury Gift of the Season
 Upon opening the bottle, I was greeted with the aromas of dark chocolate, cola and leather. As I swirled my glass, I picked up notes of vanilla and toasted oak. Then came my first sip. I was pleasantly greeted by the warm flavors of tobacco and blueberry and beautiful soft tannins.
This wine would be the perfect pairing for a juicy burger, a big steak or a rich chocolate dessert. I definitely will be buying more to share this holiday season. Plus, the packaging makes for the perfect impressive gift for that special someone! I could not recommend this wine more. Use code WINENOT20 for 20% off your purchase! |
RSS Feed
