5 Beauty Products for Perfect Summer Skin

If your skin is anything like mine, different seasons call for different products. I used to slather on tons of random beauty products every day that didn't even do anything beneficial for my skin. But then one day I went to the dermatologist for a check up and she asked me how many products I put on every day...when I started counting them up in my head it seemed a little bit crazy, especially when I got to around product 15...

She laughed and asked me 'why?' I still don't have the answer to that haha except that maybe they smelled good, or made me sparkly, or just because. Not very good reasons!

Recently, I have started the process of throwing out all of my products that aren't cruelty free and vegan. When I thought about all of the crap I was putting on my skin that wasn't even GOOD for me, that had been tested on innocent animals, I felt completely sick. Not to mention, I want to put things on my skin that have some benefit without causing undo stress on the environment or animals.

This project has ended up being way bigger than I initially thought. Many brands claim to be cruelty free or vegan when in actuality they aren't. For me, having my products be cruelty free was the most important factor, with them being vegan a plus.

Here are some of my favorite products for glowing, healthy, summer skin.

1. Alba 3-in-1 Clean Towelettes: I love everything about these towelettes. At night I use them as a make-up remover and toner after I shower. In the morning i rinse my face with water and then tone with them. They don't dry your skin out or leave you feeling greasy. Also, they smell amazing.

2. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Serum: this product is incredible. I have been a big fan of oils for a while now in regards to skin care which is funny because the thought of putting MORE oil on my skin would have horrified me in college. This product goes on smooth and soaks in immediately, leaving your skin feeling fresh and light. Kiehls is considered to be a cruelty-free company but when it was bought out in 2000 by L'Oreal it became a little but wishy washy since L'Oreal sells in China. Now this product is not considered to be cruelty free since China has mandatory animal testing, but sales have recently halted there until further notice. I'm not sure I will buy this product again if they continue down this current path. More research needed. 

3. Hope in a Jar Eye Cream: this eye cream is on point, and all Philosophy products are 100% cruelty free! This eye cream goes on smooth, morning and night, and I noticed a difference in fine lines around my eye crinkles within two weeks. I love all of their products but this one is a personal favorite. 

4. Beauty Counter Dew Skin: this shear tinted moisturizer provides just the right amount of summer coverage with absolutely no cakey residue. It goes on delightfully smooth and your face feels completely naked and not greasy. If you need more coverage the Beautycounter Tint Skin provides a bit more but still has that wonderful light feeling. 

5. Beautycounter Touch-up Skin Concealer: when I have a spot that needs a little bit more coverage this product blends in nicely and gets the job done. I also use it under my eyes to get rid of dark circles and brighten them up a bit. This concealer goes on perfectly over the Philosophy eye cream and doesn't wrinkle throughout the day. 

These basics keep my skin dewey, healthy, and glowing during those hot, sticky summer months. And I'm sure that I will continue to use most of these products into the fall and winter since they make my face feel and look so clear and amazing. 

I am attaching some links below for great resources on cruelty free and vegan beauty products!

The Cruelty Free Kitty 

My Beauty Bunny

The Good Trade

Je T'aime by Hotashi

Happy and Healthy skin is in!

What time is it?? Product Review Time!!

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!
We are almost to the weekend, thank the lord, so hang in there for a couple more days!

In the meantime, I have decided to review a few of my favorite shower routine products with you because they are awesome and I want to share the wealth ;)

First of all, J convinced me to join the Dollar Shave Club and it was probably one of the best things I've ever done. The razors are great, they come to you in the mail, and you never run out. Also, your boyfriend wont yell at you for stealing his razor anymore. Everybody wins!

As far as hair care goes, there is very little I can actually do to control my hair in this Florida humidity, and I can admit that now. However, the entire line of Organix products is amazing and I love the coconut shampoo because when I hair flip it smells like a pina colada. 

I just started using the Aveeno Moisture renewal conditioner because I felt like my hair was getting a little bit dry due to my summer highlights and the constant sun damage down here. It smells super yummy and I noticed a difference in how my hair was drying in a less frizzy way after the first couple of washes. Also it is all natural, so thats niiiice!

Aussie makes a great leave in conditioner and hair protectant that I have been using down here to protect my hair from sun damage and to make it less tangly. This product doesn't leave you hair greasy and if you blow dry your hair, it helps it stay smooth and not get those crazy little fly aways. 

Dr. Bronner's castille soap is another must in our house. This giant bottle is the almond scent but I prefer the peppermint kind (especially after a run when I am having a heat stroke). This soap actually makes you feel squeaky clean. Like, you are literally squeaky.

Florida has not been good to my skin, unfortunately. But I have noticed great improvement with using Neutrogena naturals face scrub and the Aveeno clear complexion face lotion. Both are great for people with sensitive skin and they don't dry your face out. The Neutrogena Naturals face scrub isn't too abrasive and it still helps get rid of dead skin and takes off your makeup completely. The Aveeno face lotion provides just the right amount of acne treatment but doesn't dry out the areas that aren't affected by acne. 

Lastly, I used to be obsessed with lotion. I would apply it at least 4 times a day and it got to the point where it was a borderline OCD ritualistic problem. Then I discovered the magical elixir of life. Body oil. Specifically, Argan oil. It smells SO DARN GOOD. And it keeps you moisturized all day so you don't have to reapply lotion. 

So, there you have it! A few awesome beauty products to try if you haven't already.

Let me know your favs!

E