Winter night time skincare routine

I used to have horrible acne, scarring and hyper-pigmentation. I changed my eating habits (less dairy, less sweets and less pasta) and stuck to a strict skincare regimen. I finally feel confident enough to wear no make up and lighter foundations. My skin type is oily in the summer and dry in the winter. I do not have sensitive skin or any allergies, but I have friends who use these products who do have sensitive skin and these products have not caused them any sensitivity issues. If you have sensitive skin you should always test products on your hand first before using them on your face.

After completing my skincare routine. No Make up and no filter.
Only editing I did was to blur out my home. No filter, No make up.

Cleanser

I tend to change my face cleanser often. Right now I am using the St. Ives green tea cleanser which is about $6-9 at any CVS or Walgreens (I don’t recommend for sensitive skin). Another great cleanser is the Olay 7 in one cleanser (all skin types). My number one favorite cleanser is the Chanel cleaning milk if you want to splurge. It is $45 from Bloomingdales or Saks. I have gone through countless bottles.

Micellar Water

I am using Micellar water over other toners right now. Why use Micellar Water? It cleanses your face and you do not need to rinse it off and it is extremely hydrating for the skin. It improves your complexion and helps prevents further breakouts. If you have extremely acne prone skin, I suggest rinsing it off with water, just incase it leaves a film on your face which in some cases may cause you to break out, although rare. The second step to my routine is taking a flat cotton pad and using the Neutrogena Micellar Water on my face. ($13)

Serum

I then use the Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum. I drop a dime size amount into my fingers and pat onto my face. This has probably single handedly improved my uneven skin tone. This serum also fights against the signs of aging. ($45) At Ulta they may have smaller bottles.

Lash Serum

While my face is drying from the serum, I apply my lash serum to the upper and lower lash line. I use Natural Lash which is purchased at any Amazing Lash Studio ($70-$75). A Similar serum that I have tried on amazon is Grande Cosmetic Lash Enhancing Serum. Helps thicken and grow your lashes using natural products. ($65).

Night Cream/Moisturizer

The Lancome Visionnaire beauty sleep perfector is by far my favorite night cream I have ever used. This cream blurs our any fine lines, minimizes my pours and makes my skin hydrated and dewy. Some night creams leave you greasy but this one absorbs right into your skin. I use a small pearl sized amount and apply the cream moving upwards on my face. I am always being asked what I use on my skin and out of anything in this routine, this product is a MUST. If you could only purchase one item, I would splurge for this one without a doubt.

Eye Cream

Lastly, we have made it to the end of our winter night time skincare routine. I apply an eye cream to the outer, and under eye area. I use the Visionnaire eye cream but there are many others that are less expensive and great. I also like this Olay eye cream for $12. Some people will swear by expensive eye creams, but personally I think it is more important for you to get an expensive face cream then eye cream. The Olay eye cream works just as good in opinion.

If your on a budget ..

If your on a budget, the most important product is to invest in a great night cream, such as the Lancome cream. My favorite drugstore brand cleanser and eye cream is the Olay 7 in one line, also N’7 makes great products as well. Remember – Consistency is key.

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12 Secret Santa Gifts under $30.00

We all have those Christmas parties at work or with friends. Here are some unique secret santa gifts for under $30. These are also great stocking stuffers!

Yeti Coffee Mug – $25 – I have mentioned this in other blog posts before but this really is an awesome gift. Your coffee/tea will be hot or cold for 8 hours.

Candles are always great gifts. I personally love the bath and body works candles because they smell up the entire room. Also, when you catch them have a good sale you can buy 2 for $20! My favorite scents this season are Fireside, Flannel (is a cult favorite), and sweater weather.

Wine tumblers are amazing. This is only $9 from amazon but you can buy the anywhere. This will keep the ice in your wine from melting which is every wino’s nightmare. I love using this on the beach especially to keep my drinks cold.

Face masks are always a great gift for stocking stuffer. Amazon has great masks that you can buy as a bundle. I have used a ton of their masks before. One of my favorites is viva naturals. It is $17 for 8 great quality masks.

Cook books are always amazing gifts. This healthy cook book, True Roots by Kristen Cavallari is one of my all time favorites. I even bought this for my mom. She has easy unique healthy meals for everyone. She also has a list of what to keep in your pantry that is super helpful. Another cook book thats even on my wish list is Hungry For More, by Christy Teagan. Each of these are under $20 and you can buy as an e-book for your kindle or iPad.

Diffuser and oils are a great way to do Yoga, meditate, have in your office as a relaxant or just a nice way for your home to smell. I use a diffuser everyday and my favorite essential oils are lavender and lemongrass. This diffuser comes with 6 essential oils and is under $30.

Blue blocking retro glasses are all the rage right now. These are from amazon for $20 but they have a ton more styles. Quay is a more expensive brand, but they make really cute glasses you should definitely check out.

Popsocket’s are great secret Santa or stocking stuffer gifts. This one I have attached is a pearl design super sleek and cute for $20. (From amazon of course). Urban outfitters also has a really cute pearl toned pop socket.

The amazon dot is only $25 and would be another goodie. I actually have the dot and it plays music pretty loud which is what I wanted it for, and does all of the same things as the big version.

I am obsessed with my swell water bottles. This one is $26 from amazon, but I think they also sell these or something similar at target for the same price. This keeps my fruit water cold all day. I have a bad habit of not drinking enough water, as many people do and this really helps out.

Honestly, who doesn’t love fuzzy slippers? These Jessica Simpson slippers are $25 and the perfect gift. I literally wear my slippers every single day and they are a dupe for the Pottery Barn slippers.

So this may sound a little crazy, but these are lavender infused non slip fuzzy socks. I received these as a gift last year in my stocking and it was one of the best gifts I got. A tip, before putting these on your feet use a nice foot cream or lotion and sleep with them on. When I woke up in the morning it was like I had the best pedicure of my life. $12.99 from amazon.

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Amazon Holiday Gift Guide For Everyone

I have a huge family and luckily we all have different interests. I hope this holiday gift guide helps you find unique gifts that everyone will love! This is my amazon holiday gift guide, because lets face it.. theres only two weeks till Christmas and we are all procrastinators. Your Welcome.

For the tech lover

Amazon Alexa is one of my favorite things in my house. This is a definite MUST have for $79.99. I also included the smart plugs in this as well that cost around $30.00. You can’t have your amazon Alexa without being able to tell her to put the lights on (am I right?). Talk about a real smart house.

The Bose is great for your music needs. I use my Amazon Alexa in the house, but for my outdoor BBQ’s or being on the boat I always bring my Bose. It has bluetooth and awesome battery life. This speaker gets so loud its like you are using professional speakers. I use the Bose for all my parties and BBQ’s and everyone asks me about it. $120.00

Smart glasses. Thats right.. I said it.. Smart glasses. It’s like we are really in the future now. These glasses are, waterproof, blue blocking, bluetooth glasses. You can answer calls, listen to music and if you need prescription glasses you can add your prescription lens. $89.99

For Mom, Grandma, Aunt or Cousin.

The Dyson Animal Cordless Vacuum has changed my life. This is an awesome gift to split with your siblings or cousins. Its really the gift that keeps on giving. It is expensive, but has a lifetime warrantee if anything goes wrong and the most important part is its cordless! The worst thing is when your just about to vacuum an area and you pull the cord right out because it can’t reach. Its also super durable, has different attachments so you can get in those small spaces, your car and the couch. I have had so many vacuums either break on me or be way too heavy. Its actually on sale right now, you can get this for $299 and next day shipping.

Air Fryers are all the rage right now and rightfully so. Who doesn’t like fried food and without the unhealthy oils. Purchase this for $99.00 and I would also get the cook book that goes with it because not many of us understands how that is even possible.

Electric wine opener – because everyone hates breaking the cork in half and then drinking the bits of cork in your drink. This is the best one and lasts forever. Only $19.99 so its a no brainer.

For the coffee lover

I talk about this in other posts but the Vava Milk Frother is a must. Its $39.99 and you get the best tasting coffee. Who doesn’t like at at home latte?

This is the best affordable espresso machine I have probably ever come across. This Nespresso machine makes both coffee and espresso for everyones taste buds. Its on sale right now from $250.00 to $149.00 and next day shipping for prime members. Gift tip ** This one also has a milk frother included.

You can’t drink your coffee without an insulated coffee mug so it stays warm. This yeti mug is awesome. Its a nice small gift too for any secret Santa. $24.99

For the Healthy Fitness Lover

This yoga mat is only $16.99 and is my favorite mat. I have horrible knees and this provides enough comfort when doing certain poses. I also advice to buy yoga blocks for modification. I have these for $10.99.

I absolutely love the peloton. I can’t say enough awesome things about it. The only downfall is it is about $2,000. Good news is, you can pay interest free for a year. The peloton also has yoga classes, fitness classes, outdoor running and the cycling. Its my favorite gift I have ever gotten and I am definitely a beginner. You can get yours on their website and right now there is always a deal. I know thats not an amazon buy – but they have fast shipping so you will get it for Christmas.

SO I really hope my husband doesn’t read this post because .. I am getting him this rower machine. We have an at home gym that we just started to make. This Sunny Health and Fitness rower is $199 and when I tell you I did a massive amount of research on affordable rowers, I am not kidding, This was rated on top lists with all the expensive rowers. I’ll do a blog post on our gym once its finished.

For the men in your life

I am a huge Yeti fan. This cooler is expensive but when I tell you there will be ice still frozen in cubes for days I am not kidding. Scouts honor this is the KING of Coolers. BBQ’s and Beach days will never be the same. $250

This beer dispenser for $120 turns any can or bottle of beer to a Nitro style draft beer. Enough Said.

For the grill masters – this spice set is $24 and will have them cooking. And as long as its them cooking, we don’t have to.

For the Beauty Lover

The Revlon one-step hair dryer is a must this year. This $42 hair dryer will make your hair silky smooth in no time. Everyone is talking about it and its the best on the market. You can’t go wrong with this gift.

Drunk Elephant travel skincare kit. You get 8 products for $90. This is for the skincare lover. This skincare line is voted one of the best in almost every magazine and website you go to.

This is not an amazon buy (sorry) but the fabfitfun boxes are an awesome gift. $179 for the year but your loved one gets a box each season (4 per year) with make up, health, fitness, skincare and clothes for over a $200 value per box. Its an awesome subscription box to get anyone. It’s really worth it.

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