fave products // omorovicza acid fix & balancing moisturizer

I was initially drawn to Omorovicza after I came across the Hungarian skincare company’s profile on Instagram. The luxury skincare brand captures the curative magic of Budapest’s thermal healing waters throughout all its products. Working with a Hungarian Nobel Prize-winning laboratory, Omorovicza developed and patented the Healing Concentrate™ to deliver all the potent minerals occurring naturally in the Omorovicza healing waters into skin. So interesting! Even better, all their products are vegan, gluten-free, and contain no sulfates, parabens, or synthetic fragrances! Woot woot!

Acid Fix is a multi-purpose AHA/BHA treatment containing glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids that work their magic to give you radiant, younger-looking skin. I’ve found it to be the perfect serum for dullness, uneven skin tone, and even blemishes. Say buh-bye to damage caused by sunlight, pollution, and acne, and look forward to brighter, visibly plumped skin. I can attest to that after just a few weeks of use!

If you have oily or combination skin, the Balancing Moisturizer should definitely be in your routine. This cooling gel-cream moisturizer works to keep your skin adequately hydrated while also reducing shine. I love how refreshing it feels when applied, and how it supports the skin’s natural oil balance. Large pores? No more! The complex also works to brighten dullness and blur the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores.

I’ve been carrying around the Queen of Hungary Mist in my bag as well, and I must say it makes for the perfect refreshing spritz whenever your skin needs a bit of a pick me up. It also works well as a post-cleansing toner. The neroli and rose scent is just to die for! If you’re on the hunt fo more supple and youthful skin (I mean, who isn’t?!), I highly suggest you try out some Omorovicza products.

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // milk + honey blue tansy balm & bakuchiol treatment

I first became a fan of milk + honey products after trying their Pink Clay Masque, which works wonders to clear your pores and balance the skin. I highly recommend it if you feel your skin needs a little detox situation. I love that all milk + honey products are hyperclean, effective, and safe. All super important in my book! When I heard they were launching a Blue Tansy Balm and Bakuchiol Treatment, I was totally down to give them a try. I’m all about a multi-use skin salve, and that’s essentially what the Blue Tansy Balm is. Blue tansy, blue chamomile, and blue yarrow work together to promote calm, balanced, healthy-looking skin, wherever you need it! It works equally as well to neutralize redness & dryness as it does to treat burns, rashes or scrapes! I personally love applying a thin layer to my face as an overnight mask that provides intense hydration while I sleep. Not to mention its clutch use as as a cuticle treatment as well. During the summer, if you find yourself with irritated bug bites or sunburns, a smear of this balm lends instant relief! Everyone in my family has gotten to reap the benefits so far, and I can only imagine I’ll find more uses for it over time. Talk about a do-it-all product!

The Bakuchiol Treatment is a wonderful alternative to the typical retinol products you find these days. This serum-moisturizer hybrid uses bakuchiol, a plant based alternative to retinol, to deliver retinol-like results without the skin irritation and photosensitivity side effects that can be all too common for some. The Bakuchiol Treatment works to reduce the appearance of fine lines & hyperpigmentation, while supporting collagen production to even your skin tone. Antioxidant rich botanicals like black willow bark extract & edelweiss stem cell extract work their magic to leave you with brighter, softer skin! PS- If your skin is a bit more dry and/or sensitive, I suggest adding this to your moisturizer or facial oil, and applying it that way. Otherwise, feel free to use solo as a leave-on serum treatment. Regardless, just don’t forget the SPF!

milk + honey also makes some luxurious sounding bath products (Eucalyptus, Arnica, Rosemary, Sweet Marjoram Sore Muscle Soak, anyone??) that I’m dying to get my hands on. I can just picture myself relaxing in the bath with a glass of wine and their Lemon, Vanilla Milk Bath. Yes, please. Now, get to pampering!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // lord jones acid mantle repair cbd moisturizer

It’s fair to say that CBD is having a moment lately, don’t you think? Call it what you want- a trendy fad or the new staple ingredient- but regardless, I have to say I’m a fan. Lord Jones produces quite the collection of hemp-derived CBD products including skincare, confections, and daily supplements. They were also the first CBD brand to launch at Sephora! I’ve been trying out their Acid Mantle Repair Moisturizer with 250mg CBD & Ceramides, and I’m really loving the results. You may be saying- acid mantle? What even is that?! Truth be told, I was in the same boat at first, but I’ve since gotten much more familiar with the essential, delicate component of the skin. Few people are aware of the acid mantle and we all have one. It’s actually a delicate film that acts as a barrier against bacteria and other environmental contaminants, making it a super important factor in achieving healthy skin.

Lord Jones Whole Plant Formula Acid Mantle Repair CBD Moisturizer is a soothing pH balanced CBD moisturizer formulated to help maintain the acid mantle, support the skin's moisture barrier and rebalance the appearance of stressed skin.  It features a 5-ceramide complex that works in harmony with full spectrum hemp-derived CBD oil and sunflower seed oil to rebalance skin. Ceramides are lipids that help form the skin’s barrier and retain skin moisture, which keep the acid mantle healthy. Plus, hyaluronic acid and sustainably sourced squalane replenish skin barrier moisture for smooth, supple skin. Like I said, everything working in harmony! Each jar contains 250mg of full spectrum hemp-derived CBD oil and is equipped with a weighted golden spoon. PS- the spoon can also be used to massage the ultra-creamy formula into your skin and pressure points. For another bonus tip, I suggest storing your spoon in the freezer before using on those days when your skin needs a little extra TLC. Trust me on that one. And, if you’re looking for an extra boost of CBD, may I suggest applying the Lord Jones Royal Oil (1000mg pure CBD oil!) on top of the Acid Mantle Repair CBD Moisturizer for an ultra-soothing treat. To top it all off, the High CBD Formula Bath Salts are calling my name- I think a relaxing, sudsy bath is on the agenda in the very near future!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

Hello, World!

fave products // taïla face oil, eye balm & toning mist

I was recently introduced to Taïla, high performance all-natural skincare rooted in the plant powered science of Ayurveda, and I have to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised. A lot of skincare brands claim to be rooted in this or that, or act like a cure-all for any skin concern, but Taïla really does deliver. Each formula advances treasured beauty traditions of India to awaken your senses and bring skin into harmony. The entire collection is non-toxic, using only USDA organic and wildcrafted ingredients, which I love! I even feel comfortable using the oil on my baby boy, that is, if he gets so lucky… The products are formulated with a team of Ayurvedic Doctors in Kerala, India, and are all sustainable and eco-friendly as well.

The Prana Face Oil is one of the best I’ve tried- it’s a multi-targeted treatment serum that works to nourish your skin in several ways. From smoothing fine lines to diminishing dark spots to boosting collagen production, it really is a jack of all trades. I love the antioxidant-rich superfruit amla, which helps fight dullness and leaves you with a beautiful glow! The Vayu Illuminating Toning Mist is super lightweight, but ultra hydrating all at once. It’s a great way to prep the skin and boost the performance of any subsequent steps in your skincare regimen (like the Prana Oil!). I love giving myself a spritz throughout the day to refresh the skin, and it’s also a nice way to set your makeup. Plus, key ingredient tulsi (aka Holy Basil) helps draw out impurities and neutralize environmental stressors! Yes please. The Nayana Revitalizing Eye Balm works to revive, nourish, and revitalize the delicate skin around the eyes thanks to its concentrated blend of phytonutrients. Manjishta and ashwaghanda work to keep dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines at bay, while also promoting the production of collagen and elastin. I’ve found the balm to be the perfect way to hide any signs of fatigue (hello mom life!). Pro tip- add a layer to your lips at night for an intensive hydration treatment while you sleep!

Everything Taïla makes is free of parabens, GMOs, sulfates, artificial dyes, and synthetic fragrances, making them a wonderful option for those with sensitive skin. What’s more- Taïla is a woman-owned business made in NYC! It’s so important to support these types of small, local businesses, so I’m happy to do my part in spreading the good word! Next up on my must-try list: The Nava Jungol Detoxifying Detox Mask!

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 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // timeless skincare anti-aging facial serums

I love a good facial serum, but they typically cost a pretty penny, am I right? While some are definitely worth the investment, it’s reassuring to know there are high quality serums out there that don’t break the bank! I discovered Timeless Skincare at a brunch hosted for fellow mommy influencers, and got the opportunity to try out a wide range of their facial serums. Their expertly crafted serums work to combat a wide variety of skin concerns, including fine lines & wrinkles, loss of firmness and volume, dullness, uneven skin tone, and blemishes. Since adequate hydration is so important for healthy skin, hyaluronic acid makes up the base of each serum in the Timeless lineup. In case you didn’t know, hyaluronic acid is a powerhouse humectant that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it a key ingredient in any anti-aging routine! This super hydrating base is then infused with high concentrations of proven anti-aging and skin repairing ingredients like Matrixyl 3000™, Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, CoEnzyme Q10, Matrixyl Synthe 6, and yes- even more Hyaluronic Acid!

I’ve been a fan of a similar, highly acclaimed vitamin C serum for a while now, but it ain’t cheap. I’m happy to report the 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Serum is a fraction of the price, and still yields amazing results! Known as The Brightener, this baby helps even out dull skintone, builds collagen, and leaves you with bright, glowing skin. It’s been great for pesky hyperpigmentation issues I sometimes deal with, and it also fights free radicals from environmental pollutants! Yes please! Another Timeless Skincare serum I find myself reaching for on repeat is the Matrixyl Synthe 6 Serum, aka The Restorer. This powerful polypeptide is an anti-aging workhorse that works to plump fine lines & wrinkles, improve skin’s elasticity, and heal damaged skin, revealing firmer, younger looking skin. Who doesn’t want that?! I also like to use this on my neck and chest- figured it can’t hurt, right?

Whatever you may be looking for in a skincare product- The Defender, The Calmer, The Essential, The Builder- there’s truly something for everyone. Timeless also offers a Pure Line that boasts no harsh chemicals, no added preservatives, and is free of parabens, fragrances and dyes. So if you’re looking for straight up Hyaluronic Acid or Squalane Oil, definitely check those out as well. Which skincare concerns are you looking to target? I’m thinking the B5 Serum is the next product to incorporate into my routine. Happy (anti-) aging!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // r&co. haircare products

R+Co. haircare products // shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo & volume spray

I know a lot of people out there must be missing their hair colorists and hair stylists during the quarantine, am I right? To be honest, the break is likely a welcome one for my hair. It’s definitely enjoying the break from being constantly teased and curled and spritzed on set at photoshoots… But one thing’s for sure is my balayage highlights have definitely been growing out. Luckily, my colorist (Dana Ionato at Sally Hershberger Salon in NYC!) is awesome, and when hand-painting the highlights on my hair, she intentionally leaves some darkness at the root, which creates a nice contract and gives the overall look some depth. It also helps it not to look so “omg I need my roots done ASAP” once the color starts to grow out.

To that end, I’ve found investing in some high quality hair products to be of the utmost important. Enter R+Co. I’ve had many of their products used on my hair during photoshoots over the years, and am always really pleased with the results. I used to wash my hair every. single. day. Crazy right? I thought I had to otherwise it would get oily, but to be frank, I was probably just fueling the fire. Now I only wash every few days, and lately I’ve been reaching for the R+Co Sunset Blvd Daily Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner. This particular set is great for color-treated blondes (especially when a certain pandemic is keeping you from your would-be touch-up appointment!)- it works to keep your blonde bright and helps prevent those yucky brassy tones. I also really love their Television Perfect Hair Shampoo & Conditioner, which is great for all hair types, and leaves you with clean, shiny, silky hair, and zero build-up!

In between washes, I’ve been spritzing with the R+Co Spiritualized Dry Shampoo Mist, and it definitely helps buy me that extra day (or two) without feeling like I need to cover up with a hat. The micellar-based formula thankfully doesn’t leave a powdery residue like many dry shampoos, and it even helps relieve itchiness! Whenever I want a lil va-va-voom in the hair department, I go for the R+Co Balloon Dry Volume Spray. It’s a great way to add texture, shine, and volume (duh) in a lightweight spray that won’t weigh down those locks. I’ll admit, I’m not the best hair stylist by any means, but the Balloon Dry Volume Spray helps me achieve that slightly messy, textured ‘do that I love! PS- many of their products come in travel size versions, making them great for tossing into your suitcase or gym bag! A big plus (in my book at least) is that R+Co products are vegan & cruelty-free, as well as free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and petroleum! No need for any of that on your scalp, so close to the brain, in my opinion…. If you’re looking to change it up in the hair category, I definitely recommend checking out R+Co!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support!