Welcome to my first blog post about beauty routines and products. I love reading articles and advice about looking and feeling good. Particularly advice on aging (sigh…..). GOOP is my favorite online beauty book. However, some of the advice can be above and beyond most budgets. I want to share with you my favorite products that make me feel good, healthy, and pretty. At my age (45!) I’m happy trying anything once. You have my word on honesty and affordability.

Let me know if you give them a try. X, L.

SCENTS

Lavender. I love lavender. The scent, the color, the simplicity……it’s timeless and subtle. It’s all over my house. Candles, diffusers, a sachet in my intimates drawer, in my purse, and bathroom cabinet. A girl can never have enough lotions and perfumes! Solid perfume, in any scent, is my new favorite. The scent lasts longer than drops or sprays.

I discovered Magnum Opus at the Temecula Farmer’s Market. $15 for any 3.

FACE

Earlier this year I stopped washing my face. Exfoliating is the best way to cleanse. Remove the dead and dirty. My new routine involves using a microdermabrasion wand paired with a walnut and lavender scrub. The wand has replaceable pads I change out about once a week. Use the wand gently on your face and a bit firmer on your neck and chest. You will notice a difference in your skins texture and appearance.

Neutrogena Microdermabrasion wand at Target $20. Walnut and Lavender scrub at The Temecula Lavender Company $9.

BODY SKIN

Moisture starts within. Staying hydrated can be challenging during the winter months. My love of wine does not help. It’s taxing to drink the daily “recommended” amount of water required for our bodies. I like to add lemon and/or cucumber as an incentive to drink more water.  If you like powdered vitamins try mushroom matrix. It’s smart nutrition that does not taste a bit like it’s powered with mushrooms. They also offer pet and equine blends.

mushroommatrix.com

MINIMAL MAKEUP

Simply, mascara and lip gloss! Favorite…..lip gloss with a slight tint. Occasionally, on my skin, I add a little highlighting with Boots No 7 Skin Illuminator. The pink hue blends in naturally when you add a couple of drops to your daily moisturizer. It provides a great alternative to foundation if you prefer to distract rather than conceal. The tiniest grains of luminescence provide a fresh glow. But my favorite minimal is just out of the shower bare-faced all day.

No 7 can be found at Target or Amazon.

WEEKLY

I recently read an article about the benefits of bentonite clay and naturally I had to try it. After the first use I certainly did not look like a photoshopped supermodel but I did notice my pores were smaller and cleaner. Goal!

Pure Bliss found on Amazon $11.

TRIED IT

When KORA came out I was intrigued. If it’s organic I want it. I tried the Balancing Rose Mist and Soothing Day and Night Cream. I loved the Rose Mist. Spray it on your whole face, just out of the shower, before applying moisturizer. Smells so good and girly. The cream was ok. It left a bit of an oily feeling like the lotion never absorbed into my skin. Definitely not a good summer cream. I felt a bit special (and guilty) using these expensive products but I won’t buy them again. The mist lasted a month after daily use. The cream held out for three months so that sort of justified the cost. I went back to the trusty lotion I’ve used since I was 18……Clinique Dramtically Different Lotion.

Balancing Rose Mist $44 and Soothing Day and Night Cream $64 at koraorganics.com (Half-naked kid not included).

***Thanks for reading! Smile often and choose happy. It shows! Happy Holidays to you and yours! See you in the New Year!