I've been trying to test out some new products lately so I can share with you guys, whether they are good or bad. Plus I know it is always good to find drugstore products that work just as well if not better than those high end brands! :) Hope this helps...

This week I had the pleasure of using Fresh's Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil. They finally have a smaller bottle so you can try it out ($18.50 instead of $50)!! I've been eyeing this for months and didn't want to spend $50 on another face oil right now just in case I didn't love it.

This baby is wonderful! I would definitely repurchase. I feel like my skin is softer, smoother, a little more even, and moisturized. I feel glowy when I wake up in the morning no matter how little sleep I got. I still have some dry patches but it's winter so I expect that. I have been using this morning and night. It sits well under my foundation or BB cream because it fully absorbs. I layer my Neutrogena moisturizer over this and I am good to go.


The Lowdown from Sephora:

What it is:
A soothing face oil packed with restorative omegas and seabuckthorn oil to preserve a youthful appearance. 

What it is formulated to do:

This stuff is no joke! I have never used anything like it before so maybe that is why it is so cool to me but I think you guys will love it.

It is a gel consistency with a light clean ( a little citrus) scent and you put a thin layer all over your face (not your eyes or lips), wait about 10-15 seconds and start massaging your face small circular motions. You will feel the dead skin just coming off in your hand. It is SO cool! When you are done just tissue off and rinse for a glowing complexion ready for the world!

I wouldn't use this everyday but maybe twice a week. I think it will be great in the summer too.

This is what their website says about it:

• You can't beat a luxurious buff and polish to prime your skin for optimum moisturizing and send dead skins cells on their way.
• This fabulous exfoliate is gentle enough to be used on your face or any place you have dry or dull skin.
• We use papaya and pineapple enzymes (instead of harsh scrubs and chemicals), our exclusive comfort blend of antioxidants, aloe vera, vitamins C,A, E+ and a dose of TLC to ensure your skin glows.
• Did you know, you can also use our exfoliate for a weekly manicure and pedicure!

European Wax Center - The Exfoliate

BB Creams and/or tinted moisturizers are a great for summer (or anytime) and when you are in a rush and want to give your skin that extra oomph.

BB creams or "beauty balms" are very popular in Asia and slowly made their way to America. Now every brand possible has their own version although some are definitely better than others. Beauty balms have many benefits. Yes they have nice coverage but also skin benefits. Each one has their own specifics but most of them claim to even skin tone, clear and prevent breakouts, moisturize, and much more including the great SPF.

MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream No.23 Natural Beige SPF42 PA++ - a classic BB cream and a fantastic one at that. This is the epitome of tinted moisturizers. It has a rich thick texture but does not look pasty or mask my skin. I do see benefits such as clearer and softer skin when I use this. I feel my skin looks fresher too. This also makes a nice prep for foundation! If you are looking for a product that is everything a BB cream should be then this is it, hands down!



Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers, SPF 30 - I use this in the summer for something quick to even out my skin and moisturize. It is also great before the beach. I like the color it gives my skin and I do find that it benefits the look of my skin over time just maybe not as well as the above creams.


These are both worth checking out but if I wear to pick one it would be the MISSHA M brand.

I have yet to try out any CC Creams (color correcting). I plan on trying out the Smashbox brand because I have heard great things about their CC and their BB creams but they are pricey at close to $40 a bottle.

Besides oil I do use face lotion or cream preferably with an SPF in the morning. If my skin is very dry then I will put argan oil on first and follow with one of these lotions before my makeup. It helps keep my skin comfortable and fresh throughout the day.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiance Cream SPF 15 - This is a really great moisturizer. I see a difference in my skin tone and a definite radiance when I use this regularly. I can tell the difference within a few days. It is light but makes my skin feel nice. You could use this year round if you are looking for a light moisture lotion.



Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30 - This is great for summertime I would say. It is lighter a light fluid like texture. I like that it evens my skin tone, especially when used with the Visibly Even facial cleanser.

Jergens Glow Face Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 20 - I use this all year on and off. I like to give my face some color throughout the seasons to look healthy. This isn't something I would pick up on my dryer days but for the average day, yes.

MAC Cosmetics Strobe Cream - Mac did a great thing coming out with this. It gives your skin an irridescent quality and wakes everything up. This cream is not sparkly... think pearl.

Josie Maran Argan Glow Whipped Gradual Tanning Lotion - I can't find this anywhere right now but I had to share it anyway. I have a backup thank god. This stuff is so awesome! It gives nice color on my fair skin gradually and doesn't smell funky like some self tanners. It does have radiance or fine glimmer to it. If you put this on your face it will sparkle. I know not everyone likes that but if you use a powder or foundation (or bb cream) on top you can't tell. I love that it has argan oil included in its ingredients plus it is gentle enough for your entire body including your face. It is vanilla scented and I'm obsessed with it. Keep your eyes open for when this (hopefully) comes back! It is thick enough for comfort but not overbearing or greasy with or without makeup on top. One of the best things about this too is it has a pump! Yay!

Body lotion is probably the hardest for me. I try different ones all the time but these seem to be the lotions that have stood out through my testing. I am still looking for the "perfect" "holy grail" of body lotions. I hope this helps and if you have any suggestions that would be awesome!

Creme de Corps Light-Weight Body Lotion - I love this because it cools my skin as it soaks in. It absorbs quickly but not too quickly that you need more right away. It is light weight and there is no scent. I really love how it feels when I put it on my skin.


Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter - A great body butter when you want the benefits of argan oil on the rest of your body, not just your face. It is scented, I love the vanilla apricot scent. It smells delicious and the scent does linger. I put it on before bed and wake up still smelling it. I feel like it really puts moisture back into my skin and definitely softens. It also helps get rid of that bumpy feel behind your arms which is really a plus.

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Intensive Hand Cream in Vanilla Apricot - This is a lighter version of the above body butter. I love to use this on my hands when I am not using the Neutrogena Hand Cream. The scent does linger but eventually goes away.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E - Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion is a richer, thicker moisturizer. I have the one with SPF 15 for when I want to moisturize but also protect my skin from the sun. That is really important in keeping away early signs of aging and keeping your skin healthy in general. I like that it is good for stretch marks and evening out my skin tone.


Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning Extra Rich Cream - I like the way this smells. It has thinner consistency than the Palmer's lotion which is nice when you just want a light moisturizer and the beachy scent of cocoa butter to lift you up.

Johnson's Baby Lotion, Johnson's Baby Cream, Johnson's Baby Creamy Oil, Cocoa and Shea Butter - these three are really fantastic and you can find them everywhere. I love how they make my skin feel. They offer softness and relief from the tightness of dry skin. I think what makes this great is that they include baby oil in the product. The other plus is that it is gentle enough for a baby so you know it's gentle enough for you. Let me tell you my skin does feel baby soft when I use these. The cream and creamy oil I use mainly for my hands, feet, and elbows. The lotion I use every wear.

Ointment and balms are used for so many things. They are lip balms, cuticle balms, healing ointments, etc. If you have dry skin you need at least one of these in your life.

Originally this was going to be included in my oils post but I decided that it should be on its own because coconut oil is so versatile. You can use it for cooking, skincare, haircare etc. It is something that is gaining popularity and has been for a while now. There are posts everywhere about the benefits it has.

Here is a great post with 101 uses for this oil....

101 uses for coconut oil by Wellness Mama

First off, I love anything coconut scented or flavored usually so when I saw you could use it as a lip balm or face moisturizer as well as eat it that intrigued me. I originally bought coconut oil for cooking and was very interested in the benefits it has on your body/health. I started reading more about it and saw all the different uses it has in the beauty world too.

I went to The Vitamin Shoppe and looked through all the different brands and decided on their store brand oil. The thing you want to look for when buying this oil is that it is organic extra virgin coconut oil. You do not want anything refined. You want the purest form. It comes in solid form and then melts when it comes in contact with your body heat or when you cook with it.




For now I am just going to focus on the beauty aspect of this oil...

I use it on my face after I wash and tone. It absorbs pretty quickly since it is a thin consistency after it melts. I put some on my lips as well before bed. This oil works wonders for your eyelashes! When you put it on your face just spread it all over your eyes, lips, everything.

Remember when I said how Josie Maran's Argan oil has the essential fatty acids? Well so does coconut oil. I've read that coconut oil actually has some of the highest amounts. So that is a great benefit there and can be a nice replacement for your Josie Oil if you are on a budget. Coconut oil can be expensive but when you think about it you get a huge amount for about half the price or Josie's oil. You only need to use a small amount. (just something to think about)

Coconut oil also has antibacterial properties making it a great oil for breakouts. It will heal your skin, soften it, prevent bacteria, and give that glow. Plus it is ALL natural! That itself makes me feel great using it on my skin. I know exactly what I am absorbing into my body.

I really can't say enough good things about this stuff. It is something I highly recommend and use on and off myself.

First off, Happy New Year! I am so sorry it has been so long since my last post. But 2014 is here and I am working on getting back into the swing of things. :)

So lets get back to dry skincare starting 2014 with face and body oils...

Facial oils (being a cleanser or moisturizer) in general seem to have grown in popularity in the past couple years. Sephora even has a link on their site recommended certain oils for different skincare concerns you may have... check it out below.

Sephora's Recommendations on Oils

Toning is another important aspect to a good skincare regime. First you wash and or exfoliate then you tone before moisturizing. Toning will take off the last bit of dirt and bacteria so your serums and lotions can absorb much better. Depending on your toner it can also be your exfoliator. Toners that have alpha and beta hydroxy will exfoliate in the sense that those ingredients take off the dead skin without having to scrub your face. They can also be drying though so watch out.

People with dry skin want to look for toners that don't have any harsh ingredients. Alcohol is something that will dry out your skin so you want to look for something with little to no alcohol. Sometimes they will say "alcohol free" on the bottle.



Boots Expert Sensitive Gentle Refreshing Toner - This toner is definitely a number one in my book. It is so refreshing and gentle you can even use it on your eyes. It feels like cool soothing water on your face. Sometimes in the summer I use this just to freshen my face on a day when I don't wear foundation. I think I might even put it in a spray bottle so I can spritz it on my face every now and then to freshen my foundation! Target also sells this in store which is great! I heard it was a drugstore dupe for Bioderma but I can't say since I've never tried Bioderma.

Thayer - Witch Hazel Toner-Rose Petal - This toner smells divine if you like roses. It does come in different versions though such as cucumber if that is more your thing. The rose is the only one I've tried. It is not overpowering, the scent is very light. Roses are also supposed to be very brightening and nutrient rich for your skin. I will get into a few other rose items I like in my future posts.

I'll admit, I do not always tone after washing my face but I do notice a difference when I do. My skin is much clearer and brighter.

Another product that is similar to toner is facial mist. Many brands are coming out with these now and they can be great. Mac was one of the first I bought. Their Fix+ is supposed to keep your makeup on and fresh. They came out with their Mineralize water and that is a really great freshener throughout the day.

These do seem like a waste of money to me sometimes unless they have a purpose like keeping my makeup on longer, moisturizing, or brightening my complexion. Otherwise why buy bottled water for your face? Here are a few facial mists that I like and think if you are in the market for one or have been intrigued by them you might want to try one out.

JURLIQUE Rosewater Balancing Mist - another rose scented item... this is really refreshing and has rose extract and marshmallow to moisturize and balance the skin. This is nice to spritz on after cleansing and before your night time creams. It smells lovely and is a relaxing ritual before bedtime. I have not used it every single day so I can't tell you if it has necessarily improved my skin in any way.

Mac Fix+ - definitely a regular in my collection from now on. It does help my makeup stay fresh and it is a great refresher when my foundation becomes dried out during the day. This is also a great product to mix with pigments and other loose eyeshadow and such. It gives you a much truer pigment and helps the product stay on longer without creasing.

Murad Essential C Toner - This is new to me but I am definitely becoming a fan. As I have said in my earlier posts, I love anything that will even out and brighten my tone. This helps with its vitamin c addition. This does sting a little if I use it after doing an intense exfoliation (from the citrus extracts) but for other times it works great to make my skin feel clean and fresh.




I do not think any of these are essential. Out of the three I think Mac's Fix+ is a great thing to have, or any other makeup fix spray for that matter. I am currently trying out different mists to see if Mac really has the best of the best so I will keep you posted on that! If you have any mists you recommend please let me know!

This is going to be a series of entries all dedicated to dry skin. I find a lot of the people on the web who write beauty blogs have oily skin. I have dry skin myself and I am always on the lookout for tips and product reviews or suggestions. So I thought this is a good opportunity to share some of my finds along the way with you guys, so here is goes...

Fall is here and winter is on its way... having dry skin I love a dewy finish and need that extra moisture this time of year especially. I find that a lot of beauty gurus on YouTube or on other beauty blogs have oily skin. I am always on the search for blogs with people who have dry skin like me and can help give me ideas. If you have any suggestions please let me know! I do follow Jaclyn Hill, she is great and has me out buying things all the time that she reviews (including a few of the foundations below).

I want to help out you girls who have similar needs and want a glowing complexion. A good start before one of these foundations is a great exfoliator, moisturizer, and don't forget the SPF ladies! You will be seeing a post on exfoliating, moisturizing, and my favorites in the near future.

A list of foundations and powders I recommend for a dewy glow...

L'Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup - medium - full coverage

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup - medium coverage & similar to Nars Sheer Glow

L'Oreal Paris Translucide Naturally Luminous Loose Powder - light - medium coverage powder

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - medium - full coverage

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder - white crystal powder, an HD, pore refining, soft focus finish

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Illuminating Foundation spf 19 - light but buildable coverage

Mac Face & Body Foundation  - light but buildable coverage

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural  - powder form, light but buildable coverage

I am always adding to my foundation arsenal so as I find new foundations I will work on reviewing them for you. If there is a particular one above that you would like more information on please let me know and I can give a more detailed review with photos.