yearofthemagicaltorment

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This week's favorites!

Sachajuan - Ocean Mist Styling Spray.

This stuff gives me beachy waves that make me feel like I've been vacationing in Cabo. The bottle size is a little disappointing but only at full price. If you find it on sale I highly recommend this buy.

Salt & Stone - Hydrating Facial Lotion.

This is a plant-based face Lotion with Squalane, Ginger Root, and Banana Extract.

Have y'all seen those people that rub banana peels on their faces? I am so down to use this moisturizer.

You can get 65% off Sachajuan, Salt and Stone and other great brands at Groupshop. Link is live right now - https://group.shop/oSdZ5q

Lawless - Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Line-Smoothing Tinted lip Balm.

I love the Lawless Forget the Filler line. The overnight lip treatment is so good. I love the way it feels and plumps. I was also using it during the day because I liked it so much.

Thanks to the balm I can leave the night treatment for nighttime. I purchased the balm in bubble gum for a pop of color. It's gorgeous on zoom and fills out your lips as promised. This item is a little on the high side at $26 but it may just become your new HG.

Sakara - meal subscription.

I ordered the meals again and I'm super excited to have this food back in my life. Not only is it delicious but you can now download an iOS app and swap out your meals.

What did y'all find this week? Any new favorites?

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Groupshop Drops!

I found the best deal in beauty and it drops once a week. It's called groupshop drops.

Seriously y'all! Today they have La Mer face cream for $285. Sturm beauty products. Everything is at least 40% off but if the link is shared with at least two people the discount can get to 65% off. It's an amazing deal. Check back here each week for my link. Shop if you want, share if you want.

Here are some items from the store today-

Here is the link. Have a wonderful weekend!

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Weekly Round-up January 7th

I hope y’all had a wonderful holiday season. I know I did. I spent a lot of quality time with my family. I even visited my partner’s parents which was super awkward since my partner had them under grey rock. He had attempted to go full no contact but there is too much manipulation for him to have the ability to do that. 

Which brings me to this - If you are an adult child of an emotionally immature parent I suggest blocking them and concentrating on yourself and the family you’ve made. I know it’s difficult. It took me more than one time to block my mother completely. Emotionally you will feel guilt. You will still desire to have that parent or parents as you grow up. 

The thing that you have to remember is that they are not a parent. They never were. They do not have the ability to be. By all means, forgive them. Even tell them you forgive them. They will never comprehend what it is you are forgiving them for as they do not have the emotional capability. It gets easier. You will be happier. It's so much simpler than dealing with their cycles and being their pawn.

Now on to fun things!

Over the past few weeks, I lost track of everything I received in the mail so I’m just going to go over the highlights.

Wellness

Larq Pitcher Purevis with advanced Filter - My previous water pitcher was broken due to the lid falling off. I had been searching and this brand came up under gmadeals. The pitcher is normally $168.00. I purchased it for $139.00. It looks like that is the sale that is still on. You also get 2% through Rakuten but I always suggest checking your credit card company as well. 

The lid on this is super tight so it does not fall off and the water tastes very clean. Like bottled water. It does not leave any distinct flavors like a Brita filter. For this, there are two filter choices, either $20 or $30, and they need to be replaced every two months. To me, this is well worth the investment. 

Sakara -

I’ve canceled Sakara due to a mess of problems. This may or may not happen to you. The food is tasty. I just could not get things straight through customer service. There is one thing I cannot stand when working with a business it is shitty customer service. 

I had what I felt was a simple inquiry as I had not received a shipment in a week and a half. We got up to 19 emails (back and forth) and I did not get escalated or offered a phone call. At that point, I had been offered free items and a week of free meals. All I wanted was to know what was actually due to me and when. I wasn’t looking for free stuff. 

I was so frustrated at the end I requested to cancel and a refund for anything I had remaining. Someone else did this so I assume it was finally escalated. The really sad part is I would have remained a customer had the first person just called and talked to me for 5 minutes to clarify. 

I will continue to order their detox tea because it’s delicious. Do not confuse this with their digestive tea which is not delicious.

Trifecta -

This is what I’m trying now although so far I’m unimpressed. My first shipment did not include breakfast. They refunded me the difference but this was at the point that I was already charged for my second week. We’ll see what happens next.

Other meal plans I am looking into are Veestro and Sprinly. Sprinly looks like it might be more flavorful so I might try them next. 

Makeup

I received my Violete_FR Bisou Balm. This stuff is beautiful. The colors I purchased were Guimauve and Calisson. This is a sheer matte lipstick. These colors essentially blend into the lip giving you an MLBB look. The feel of this formula is so good. My only critique is the smell. I can’t quite put my finger on it but it’s a little off-putting when you first apply. I wear them anyway because I love everything else about them.

Because I loved this formula so much I went back to the site and noticed their skincare. I ordered the Boum-Boum Milk. This product is supposed to be a toner, serum, and moisturizer all in one. It is a probiotic-based formula that can also be used in your hair. I cannot wait to try it.

Lancome Lash Idol - This mascara gives me the biggest lashes. I think it’s the brush itself. It’s curved on one side and flat on the other so you can really manipulate how you shape your lashes. 

Ciate Wonderland - Also a great mascara. Lashes are thick and separated. The brush is nice. I go back and forth between this and the Lancome mascara. 

Melt Four Twenty Palette - I’ve used this palette a couple of times now. Only the mattes so far. They are a little bit chalky and can get muddy when blending. I’m not a pro by any means but I’ve never had this happen. I did the Smoking Sessions and Millennial Pinx Palettes during the 40 percent off sale - which is still going on! They also still have $25 and $75 mystery boxes which are an amazing deal. There is a general description of what is in the boxes but no color options (that's the mystery). I will follow up after I try the other items.

Skincare

Whish Pink Champagne Lip Balm with Bakuchiol - I received this in my Allure December box. I am absolutely obsessed with lip products but this is by far my favorite. It is a non-sticky formula with amazing slip on your lips. The bakuchiol really does help the vertical lip lines. I was able to see this right away. 

When I saw this I went to the Whishbody site and ordered the lip mask, lip scrub, and two more lip balms (Vanilla Bean and Pear - these flavors are on sale). The lip mask is more of a traditional balm. It's waxy and melts into the skin rather than sits on top of it. I put this under a lip mask or the Whish lip balm. The sugar scrub is very nice. It’s a fine-grain sugar scrub. It does a very thorough job of exfoliating. Both the mask and the scrub have bakuchiol in them and the jars are 1 oz which is giant for these types of items. 

If you are looking for a more cost-effective option. Chapstick has a very nice one -  - you can get it from Amazon for $5. It is a tiny little powerhouse of a scrub. I don’t know what a Sugarplum is or if this tastes like it but the flavor is lovely. The ingredient highlights are Vitamin E and coconut oil. The size of this scrub is .27 oz but as with all scrubs, a little goes a long way. 

Kjaer Weis Eye Balm - This stuff is so much better than expected. I have used so many different eye products and I recently tried Vitamin C Lactic Firm & Bright Eye Treatment and it literally did nothing for me. I’ve been using Perricone MD High Potency Growth Factor & Lifting Eye Serum, again, nothing. I put this KW Eye Balm on and immediately I felt the relaxation under my eyes and I was able to see it. The next day I woke up and I still see it. I continue to use it and I continue to see results. I don’t know if I’m seeing what I want to, but to me it looks like the results are compound. 

For a more cost effective Eye Balm - I recommend I Dew Care Glow Key - This has Caffeine and Vitamin C. The bright pink formula camouflages the skin under the eye. It has a handy little tool with it. This stuff is great to refresh the eye area, as for heavy-duty ingredients, it just doesn’t have much. It’s more for those in their 20s or possibly when you need to refresh after a hangover ;)

Ella and Mila - I have been using nail stuff to strengthen my nails. It’s working but I am still a chronic nail-biter. I am working on it though!

I guess that’s it for now. Do y’all have any opinions on any of these products? Any suggestions for prepared vegan meal plans? How do you deal with flying monkeys? See ya soon!

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Weekly Round-Up December 18th

What I tried this week

Skincare

Fenty Skin Plush Puddin’ Intensive Recovery Lip Mask - The name of this is too long, this is the short version I promise. The product is unimpressive. It is a very thick mask that smells like aquaphor and is similar in texture. I used the product for a week and noticed none of the promised improvements. I do however think this would work well as a protectant on cold days. 

Augustinus Bader The Essence - Maybe my expectations were too high for this product but I was really hoping this would be sort of life changing? I don’t know really. I have a small patch of pores on my chin that are larger and the pores on my nose are also visible. I was hoping this product would make those issues go away. I think part of the issue is that very little product comes out so instead of applying to a round I am starting to poor into my hand so I can see how much is coming out. I am hoping to get better results from this product this way. 

Augustinus Bader The Cream - This was also not life-changing for me. This is a good thing since the price tag is a bit higher on this. For now, I will be sticking to Tatcha Dewy Skin Plumping and Hydrating Moisturizer. 

Haircare

Ouai Detox Shampoo - I tried this based on a suggestion from a Dyson class. The woman running the class suggested this for those with fine hair. This is a wonderful shampoo. When using this shampoo my hair was full and was super easy to style. This will be added to my weekly routine. 

Makeup

ITEM Beauty Boost Juice Dual-Ended Lash Primer and Colored Mascara - I really liked this mascara. The primer worked really well. I love the color. I will absolutely be using this with the Blue About Face eyeliner because I really think it will make it pop. 

Ilia Limitless Mascara - All I really remember about this mascara is that the brush hurts when applying. It’s a very rigid plastic brush and it absolutely sucks. Maybe my eyelids are sensitive. I do not recommend it though.

What I received this week -

Snuggle Puppy - I ordered this for my girls. They go absolutely nuts when there is a storm. I am hoping that when it does storm the heartbeat and heat will help them calm down and stay in their bed instead of trying to jump in mine. I will follow up when I use this. I’m really hoping they don’t try to eat it.

What else happened this week -

This week was pretty uneventful to be honest but I like it that way. I was able to spend some quality time with the family. We finished up Wednesday. I think we will try to watch Sandman next. I ordered our Christmas dinner. HEB isn’t doing Christmas dinner this season so I ordered from Cracker Barrel instead. It looks absolutely delicious and we look forward to celebrating.

I continued my new skincare routine and took nightly pictures. I was sent a free product from Lyma, this is the make of the laser I am using. The skincare product sent tends to break people out which I didn’t learn until after I used it and it broke me out as well. I am currently fighting that. I believe I am still seeing positive changes though. I can’t wait to see what my skin looks like in a month. 

What happened to y’all this week? Did you try any interesting products? Find anything you love?

See ya after the holiday! Enjoy your loved ones. Have a good week!

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Weekly Round-up December 11th

What I tried this week -

Ipsy - Someone gave me a free Ipsy bag so I’m giving that a try. When you sign up for the service, they constantly offer you add-ons from their store. This is sort of like the Allure Member Store except with better marketing. They got me twice with it. 

The first time I purchased Clean Skin Club Clean Skin Towels and probably about 300 pimple patches. I know that sounds excessive but when I get a breakout I am constantly using those damn things. These two items together were $15.

The next thing I purchased was Kate Somerville Kx Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum. I love HA’s and Squalane and the combination sounds really wonderful. Plus I can use this with my skin tools. This item was $18. 

Skincare - 

Droplette, Oneskin, and Lyma Laser - I started this routine two nights ago and am very excited about it. I take pictures prior to starting in order to document the process. I do not have a full review of any of these items as they all require time so I will follow up in a month with before and after photos. 

Kate Somerville - DermalQuench Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Treatment - This is an interesting HA. The bottle somehow infuses the HA with oxygen when it sprays it out. It doesn’t take much to hydrate your face. When I put it on it immediately plumps and hydrates. It was a steal at half-off. I do not love the smell though. I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong but there is a chemical smell when you spray. I just assume it’s from the spray bottle itself. 

Makeup -

I tried Pat McGrath's matte lipsticks and balms this week. The balms were exquisite. They were moisturizing with just a hint of color. The lipstick, on the other hand, oof, I’m not a huge fan of the formula. While it is not drying, it takes an abnormally long time to dry. Like, maybe a half hour or more. I didn’t time it, but the point is it took way longer than it should have. The color I tried was Elson. I’m a sucker for red. 

It is a blue red but it wasn’t the perfect deep red I was hoping for but it wasn’t bad. Nars Dragon Girl is closer, plus the Nars formula is amazing. I highly recommend it. 

Natasha Denona Bloom Palette - I had a lot of fun with this one this week. I love highlighter and this one is full of it. I also love that red color blush. It kind of gives off that French Girl Chic vibe. You can blend it out or amp it up. It’s really our call. I picked it up for half off and it was totally worth the price. I also recommend it as a holiday eye palette.

Food

Sakara Life - 

I completed my first week of the Sakara Life Metabolism Reset. The food was better than I expected. It is still expensive with the discount. Don’t do the math on the per-meal cost, it will just piss you off. I am doing this to try to teach myself how to eat and to try to show my partner that healthy (vegetarian, maybe even vegan food can taste good). With cancer, I’d like him to have all the good he can in his body to fight. Although there are times I’m just happy he’s eating at all. 

Anyway, the food. The metabolism reset does not come with breakfast, it comes with the metabolism shake. The shake is bitter. It tastes like almost straight cocoa powder. Adding honey makes it tolerable. The lunch is usually a salad that is extremely large. I can usually eat about half to 3/4. If it’s something other than salad like noodles I get pretty close to finishing. I have yet to finish lunch. 

Snack - Metabolism Bar - these are okay. They are supposed to taste like chocolate and sea salt. They are chewy protein bars with sea salt. Chocolate is a stretch but they aren’t bad. 

Dinner is usually very tasty. I had this Bolognese that was just delicious. I ate it all. The “meat” was not offensive. The sauce was fresh. It even tasted like it had cheese even though it didn’t. I had some other meals that I would eat again but that was for sure my favorite.

Detox Tea - This tea is lovely. You drink it before bed and it is supposed to help you digest. Along with this, you get vitamins/probiotics that you take in the morning to help with digestion. There are so many vegetables so there is a lot of digestion occurring on. 

I asked for a change to breakfast and dinner. They will be changing me over for the last two weeks of this program. I am very excited about this change because their breakfast looks absolutely amazing. 

What I received this week -

Kinder Beauty Dusk Box and Balance Box. These were part of the Mystery Box (2-Box Collection) that I received for a total of $38 on Black Friday. They both had 5 products in each, including hair, makeup, and skincare. These were a great deal and I highly recommend picking up these mystery boxes if they become available again.

Pat McGrath - Eye Shadow Divine Mink (single) and Mascara - this was from the sale when everything was $12. This was one of the best deals of the season. It was even better when it was stacked with a promo code making it $10.

Perricone MD - Growth Factor Firming and Lifting Eye Serum - this was half off through GMA Deals. Again I highly recommend this site. However, I later found a deal for Perricone using code 55Holiday that provided 55 percent off. This offer is valid until 12/31/2022 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time or while supplies last so if this is your brand or a brand you would like to try, go now. 

Speaking of deals!

The Melt Cosmetics Mystery bundles are back. These are the December version. The Black Friday Large Bundle is still available. If you click on the description it will give you an idea of what is in it but the colors are a surprise. 

The $25 bundle does require a shipping fee (unless you can find a code that this purchase combines with). It is still a great value. I am passing this time as my cup is overflowing with makeup. I will however be on the lookout for these deals in the future. 

What I ordered -

The Ipsy add-ons - What can I say? They got me.

Sakara Life - 3 times a week Breakfast and Dinner starting January 2nd. That is after I complete the 5-day-a-week Metabolism Reset program. I did find a promo code (friends) that got me 20 percent off for the first week. Also, my credit card gives me 7.5 percent back. 

Sakara Life - Digestive Tea and Detox Bars - I ordered these with my rewards points so they were free. You earn 1 point per dollar until a certain spending level then it increases up from there.

Perricone MD - No Makeup Eye Shadow and Highlighter (using code 55Holiday). These have skincare ingredients in them and I thought they would be handy for the days that I don’t wear eyeshadow. The highlighter I thought I would try on my no-makeup days. 

Ella + Mila - Nail care collection - it's currently 39% off. My nails are out of control and weak right now. I need to strengthen them so hopefully, this works!

What else happened this week?

I wrapped most of the gifts I purchased and baked cookies. My partner had chemo so he is sleeping a lot. During this time he prefers to sleep over eating so I went to the bakery and got him treats that I know will keep him interested in food. We also started watching Wednesday as a family, which is really nice. 

What’s going on with you guys?  Did you try any good products this week? Anything getting you into the holiday spirit?

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Weekly Round-up December 4th

What I tried this week:

This week I ordered from Flip for the first time. They had a great promo code for Cyber week plus they always offer 1 or 2 free items depending on your order amount and these are not cheap items. My order total was $80 which came to $48 after the discount. My free item was $95 (this was not included in the discount total).

If you have not heard of Flip I highly recommend it, you automatically earn a 30 percent discount by watching videos (product reviews) and you can earn money on the app by reviewing products. Here is my referral link, this starts you out with $30 off your purchases. I’ll be honest the $30 is not a straight $30 it is a part of the 30 percent discount and there is some confusing math that goes on here but it helps. 

Makeup:

Nars Dragon Girl -  It’s a stick matte. The formula dried very quickly but was very comfortable throughout the day. It did not budge and did not leave behind lipstick on my drinks. The color is described as a vivid siren red. I would agree.

About Face Sad Girl - This formula wasn’t as smooth as I would have liked. The color is bright and bold. I bought it for the water line although I am now curious about how it will look on the lid. I paired this with Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Waterproof Micropencil Eyeliner Lemon Quartz - I am a sucker for a shift and this was absolutely stunning. I was in mid to bright light so it looked sort of gold/a little green. In low light, it had a more of a bronzy gold color to it. Both looked beautiful with Sad Girl.

Valentino Magnificent Smudgeproof Volumizing Mascara - This is the first mascara I’ve liked as much as Better Than Sex. Maybe better than. All I know is I keep grabbing it. I will say it is smudge-proof but not waterproof. I had to put some eyedrops in and it ran for miles so through a waterproof top coat on when wearing this if you have allergies. 

Youthforia BYO Blush - I tried it. I gotta say it’s pretty cute. It’s gimmicky for sure but who doesn’t love a gimmick every once in a while? It’s buildable and fun. Do I have colors that suit me better? Sure. But If I want to go with a pop of pink, this one will be my go-to.

Naked Sundays Glow + Go Hydrating Lip Oil SPF 50+ - I am absolutely obsessed with lip products. This one is so good. The applicator is fuzzy but flexible so it just feels really nice when you put it on. This lip oil sits nicely on top of the lip and takes a long time to soak in. It is non-sticky and feels very hydrating. Plus it has the added bonus of having SPF which we need for our lips too.

Skincare:

Karying TXA Serum - I recently went through some stressful times and my skin flipped the fuck out with hormonal acne. Thankfully that has subsided but it has left hyperpigmentation behind. This product has been able to make a noticeable difference just over the past few days. I can’t wait to see what it does over the next few weeks.

Fitness:

Lit Method Axis - I do this along with Supernatural Fitness. I feel like it’s a good compliment to my regular routine. I will be honest though, I am slightly disappointed that they do not have an Android app at this time. Their site says nothing about being iOS only and I feel like that is something that they should tell people. I contacted their CS about the app situation and they said that Android is coming this month. So for now they are just basic bands.

What I received this week:

Droplette - Super excited to start using this but I need to wait for my iPad.

Oneskin - Waiting for until I start using Droplette.

Pat McGrath - lipsticks and balms. I will be using these next week. So excited. Elson might just be the most prettiest red I’ve seen in real life.

Melt Cosmetics - Four Twenty Palette, some Lipsticks, and a lip pencil. This stuff came from a Black Friday Surprise box. It was an excellent deal for $25.

Nabla - Cutie Palette #6 Midnight and #7 Analogue. These were from the Trendmood Black Friday box. 

What I ordered this week:

Perricone MD - Growth Factor Firming & Lifting Eye Serum $36.00 through GMA Deals. If you are a beauty junkie I recommend checking this site daily. Your wallet will thank you.

Violette_FR - Bisou Balm - again no deal. This one was because Facebook advertising has got my number. They are advertising all these lipstick balms to me and this one looks to be the best one. So much so that I paid full price which is really rare. 

Sephora - Augustinus Bader The Essence and Fenty Skin Plush Puddin Lip Mask with Pomegranate Sterols + Vitamin E. The total came to $96.99 with the 20% code going on right now. 

Beauty Pass Luxury Review Box - $269 - This box has everything you will need for the year and then some. I had been wanting an advent calendar and I decided this was way better because it has 37 (full size) products in it. I watched the spoiler for it to make sure they were at least mostly things I would use and for sure over time I will. I’m super excited about it.

I also did all of my Christmas shopping including stocking stuffers so I’m feeling pretty accomplished. What did you guys try this week? Did you fall in love with any products?  Are you waiting for anything special?

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Reviews incoming!

Here is a list of brands I'll be reviewing for you in the near future:

AllureBeautyBox and items from the member store

Haus Labs (Amazon)

Bae Brow

BBalance - Mat Scale

Beauty Pie - So many things from Beauty Pie

BeautyPass - Annual subscription

Droplette

I DEW CARE

Kaja Beauty

Kinder Beauty - mystery box

Lanolips

Lit Axis Pilates

Lyma Laser

MedSpa Services

Melt Cosmetics - Mystery Box

New Beauty

Oneskin

Orpheus

Pat McGrath Labs

Pendulum

PYM

Rose Inc

Sakara Life

Sephora - so many it's actually embarrassing.

Spongelle

Supernatural Fitness

Trendmood - Mystery box

If there is anything you would like to know about that is not on this list just let me know, and I'll be happy to look into it.

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My self-care is getting an upgrade

I already do Botox and other spa services but I am trying to transform my skin, body, and perspective as a whole. Earlier this year I learned that in Japan, the phrase hinou dokon means “skin-mind same root”. This makes so much sense to me because I always feel best when I am doing skin care.

On that note, I'm starting my upgrade by adding the Lyma Laser. This is the world's most powerful at-home laser that is FDA-cleared. It promises results in 30 min a day/12 weeks so we will see. 

The next piece of skintech I am adding is the Droplette. This was developed by MIT scientists for the purposes of wound healing. When this device is used for skin care it allows for maximum penetration as the ingredient molecules are reduced to a size small enough to bypass the stratum corneum. 

Since I’m adding Droplette, I’m going to be adding its friend, Oneskin. Oneskin is a topical proprietary peptide that is supposed to reduce your skin's biological age. Now that is an enticing promise. I recently watched a meeting between both Droplette and Oneskin's Chief Science Officer. It was a true meeting of minds which was a sight to see. I look forward to what these two companies will bring to the market together in the future.

Moving on to the diet, I will be reviewing Sakara Life Metabolism Reset. I am doing the 4-week program and then determining where to go from there. I have been very interested in Sakara Life for a long time but I tried RM3 first (I will review that later). It's supposed to be flavorful to get you to eat your vegetables. It's also supposed to be packed full of protein so even though you are not eating meat it is very well-balanced. It looks absolutely delicious. I can't wait to tell you all about it.

Exercise! I'll be honest exercise is something I love but sometimes lack the motivation to do. In my VR, I am completely in the zone. Supernatural Fitness is my jam. I love the coaches and the scenery. I just lose myself in there and forget whatever is bothering me while I battle targets and feel my heartbeat. I concentrate on being grateful to my body for being able to move in such a graceful and badass way (unless you see a recording).

It's an awesome cardio workout and great for overall wellness but I need to add strength. After all the research, I decided to add Lit Axis Pilates. They have smart sensors that work with your phone so I guess it keeps track of your progress. I'm not 100% sure how it all works, but I promise I will tell you after I use it.

Well, that's all the upgrades I'm adding for now. What are you doing to upgrade your routine this year?

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Hyaluronic Acid 2022 Ranked

This year I’ve tried quite a few different hyaluronic acids from very basic to dissolving balls and although they all contain the same main ingredient, they are not the same. Below is a list ranking them from best to “it will do”. 

Best - Ourself HA+Replenishing Serum -

This HA is next level. It is a milky HA that you press lightly into your skin (and it feels lovely). As soon as you do you will notice that your fine lines are plumped and no longer visible. I 100% believe the pictures on the website are legit. 

Great - Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Acid -

This is the silkiest Hyaluronic that I’ve used. It’s non-sticky, and non-drying (I have combo skin for reference). It absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling very moisturized. With any Hyaluronic you can lock it with a moisturizer, this is no different. I never tried it because it felt so comfortable on its own. For this one, I would recommend trying a sample to see if it’s for you. 

Good - Face Gym Active Blast -

This product had such positive reviews it may just be that I fell victim to the hype. It does make your skin feel soft and supple but regarding the promises of “transformation”, I did not have this experience. I’m giving this a higher rating because of the HA itself. It makes your skin feel so soft. I never felt that it was sticky although some reviews said it was with the ball. I believe this can be resolved by adding more serum. Lastly, this is actually Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum so you get a beautiful brightening effect each use.

Okay- Rael (referral/save money) Moisture Melt Snowball -

This is a pure HA ball that dissolves in any serum or essence. The site says it will give you a surge of moisture that will last up to 100 hours. I agree, it moisturizes for a very long time. When used with the Rael Glow Chemistry Antioxidant Serum, it can get a bit sticky if you do not add enough serum. Lesson learned. It does make you glow and adds a boost of hydration to dry winter skin.

It will do - The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% +  B5 Hydrating Serum

I think we can all agree that you can’t beat the price. This product is okay but when you compare it to the feel of other HA’s you can tell it’s not a high-quality HA. You'll get the lock-in effect when you mix it into a moisturizer though. This is the way I'd recommend using it.

Now, this is just a review of the product itself but I believe people should know where their money is going. This is an Estee Lauder -owned company - and this is what Ronald Lauder spends his money on.

What HA's have you tried this year? Any favorites?

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Fakes-giving

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s early but very much planned around my partner’s chemo schedule. By Thursday, he won't be interested in anything but sleeping. There will however be delicious leftovers he can munch on throughout the week. 

This is one way we take care of each other. We adjust schedules. We celebrate early and often. We are grateful, every day.  There is nothing fake about our Thanksgiving (except the kitschy title). 

Whether you celebrate this holiday with your family, friends, partners, or whomever, be grateful you have people to celebrate with. They may not always be around. On the flip side, if you have people in your life that are utterly poisonous to your well-being, be sure to take care of yourself. Life is too short. Don’t let something life-changing remind you of that.

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Stem Cells for your Skin Cells

These anti-aging heroes are a must-have ingredient you need to add to your skincare routine. Stem Cells target and repair damage, diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, lock in moisture, and activate collagen production. There are several products sold that include Stem Cells, so give it a try for yourself. Here are some of my personal favorites.  

Medicube Age-R Booster Gel Serum - This gel product is very inexpensive, especially in comparison to the rest out there. It is used with micro-current products like Foreo Bear, NuFace, or in my case TheraFace. This product contains Jasmine Leaf extract and every time I use it people comment on how much my skin is glowing. 

Orpheus Resurrection Bio-Luminous Dewy Essence - This is a serum mist that hydrates and sets makeup with a dewy glow. It contains the Orpheus Flower Cell Peptide Complex which includes Bengal Flower and Nicotiana Flower Stem Cells. Since it is a dual-purpose product I have used it both ways and it works beautifully.

Franz Skincare - Stem Cell Culture Medium Ampoule - This can be used before a mask or on its own. I generally use it prior to a mask. After using this product, my skin feels plump, hydrated, and refreshed. There is really nothing like it out there. 

Franz Skincare - Daily Repair Stem Cell Culture Medium Toner - This stuff is seriously hydrating. I use it twice daily. One or two drops and your skin feels silky smooth. I love how bright it makes my skin look and it does appear to be making my botox last longer (or improving lines overall hard to tell with botox). 

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2022 Tried and True

This year I have tried many products and I have come up with a list of products that will keep your skin glowing all year round.

Glow Recipe Niacinamide Dew Drops - This is a product I never would have purchased for myself as I have not had any luck with Niacinamide but it came in my Sephoria box and I use it daily. It smells so good and my skin instantly brightens when I use it. 

Rose Inc - Radiant Reveal Brightening Serum - This serum will make your skin bright and hydrated. The bottle looks small but a little goes a long way. This serum is water based but it’s thicker, your skin feels very moisturized after using it. The key ingredients in it are Squalane, Vitamin C, and Sea Fennel Extract which illuminates uneven skin.  While this is my favorite skincare product from Rose Inc, I do recommend checking out their entire line - I am absolutely in love with their blushes and highlighters. All of their products are sustainable and made with skin-friendly ingredients. 

Iris and Romeo - This is by far my favorite product. I wear it nearly every day. Weekend Skin SPF 50 + Vitamin C + Glow - I don’t wear foundation but I do like a bit of color to even out my skin tone. This also has SPF and some of our favorite skincare actives - vitamin C and niacinamide. It is a one-shade product that has no white cast and works for all skin tones. While I can’t speak to their non-makeup products, I can tell you they have knocked all of their makeup products out of the park. Every one of them is thoughtfully created and does its job beautifully. 

Iris and Romeo - The reset - this is another product I use daily. It helps keep my skin hydrated and bright. It’s full of Hyaluronic Acid (4 different weights). It also has ceramides, niacinamide, and a cellular hydration complex. It feels amazing to spray on, especially when it’s hot outside. It also feels nice to spray it into my hands and pat it on my skin.

ExfoliKate Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment - I know this is not a new product but it is new to me. I went to a Masterclass about this product and Kate told us the history of this product and how she uses it. I'm not a huge fan of physical exfoliators but if it's good enough for Kate it's good enough for me. Kate says she uses this product in the shower daily, even though she has sensitive skin. If you do use this in the shower just make sure to turn the temperature down a bit when washing your face. When you get out of the shower your pores will look great, your face will be washed so you can skip to the next step.

What products did you try in 2022 that became your favorites?

[yearofthemagicaltorment]

Let’s talk self-hair

My hair is fine and wavy if it dries naturally. If layered it will appear to have a slight bit of body but it really takes a lot to make it look “done”. 

Enter the Dyson Airwrap - I know I’m not an early adopter here however it is cost-prohibitive ($599). I will say that it is worth every penny. I have used this nearly every day since I purchased it and it’s very simple to use even for a person who is not used to styling their hair (me). 

The new model is even easier because you don’t have to switch attachments when you are switching sides, you just have to twist the knob at the top. Do your research, and watch some YouTube videos with people that have hair similar to yours. That’s how I ended up deciding to take the plunge. 

There was a girl that had very fine hair and her hair turned out amazing. She had some practice though. I will say you may not be a pro on the first try. The results are still good though and it only gets better with time. It also seems to make my haircuts last longer.

The Airwrap does minimal damage to the hair even though it is a heat tool. I confirmed this during my last haircut. The stylist said my ends looked really good. I still recommend using a heat protectant though. 

If you are looking to purchase there are lots of sales going on right now but check for Dyson exclusions. If this is something you are wanting to wait on, they have hair events at both Sephora and Ulta where you can get tons of points for the purchase. 

Lastly, if you end up with the older model, you can purchase the new attachments for it as they are compatible. 

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This year was particularly difficult

As such, I applied a more holistic approach to self-care. This was more than just the usual using sick time for botox and a haircut. I did things for myself that I never thought I’d do. 

I tried a diet. 

I got a breast reduction. 

I exercised more and also less. It’s a fine balance.

I tried pretty much every beauty product I wanted to try. 

Listened to webinars, podcasts, audiobooks and bought journals.

I focused on mental health.

Doing all of these things have been my oxygen mask when dealing with the challenges I’ve faced this year.

Moving in with my partner and his son.

Being a caretaker for my partner.

Fighting all the doctors to actually admit my partner and get him better because he wasn’t just fighting cancer, it was pneumonia you asshats.

Dealing with my partner’s narcissist mother and her flying monkey husband.

Having a job that I loved but a boss that I couldn’t stand.

Getting laid off (truly a blessing).

Once again, dealing with the healthcare system because apparently they just cancel chemo appointments even if you pay your COBRA premium but the insurance shows inactive.

There were days when I was knocked down. Sometimes more than once. I won’t lie, my depression told me to stay down occasionally. Thankfully, even though I am my partner’s caretaker, he is mine too. He reminds me of who I am all the time. I am forged from fire, not tears. 

I got back up. 

What did you do to focus on self-care this year?

[yearofthemagicaltorment]

Beauty is a Ritual

It is what brings us back to ourselves. In the morning, we get ready for public view. In remote work environments, we have to be “camera ready” for client or peer meetings. We do our hair, prep our skin, and put on a nice shirt (no one cares about pants, but please still wear them). We present our best selves to the world. 

One of my favorite parts of my beauty rituals is at the end of the day. Especially on a rough day. It feels so good to re-center yourself by washing off the day. It doesn’t matter if it was bad or good. Just wash off all that happened and reset so I can be with my loved ones.

This is just a small part of my ritual. 

What is your favorite beauty ritual?