Cleansing

Nordstrom Anniversary Picks

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I don’t have Nordstrom plastic like what seems to be at least 2/3 of other bloggers out there, so I had to wait until today to hit the sale.

Here are my Nordstrom Anniversary Picks:

Nordstrom Anniversary Picks - Foreo Luna Mini
The FOREO Luna Mini, which I wrote a little about here. You can get it on sale for $74. Skip the Luna Play and get this (the Luna Play has a limited lifespan, is not rechargeable, and is disposable).

Nordstrom Anniversary Picks - Purity Duo

This Purity duo, forty ounces of product, for $53. That’s $1.30 per ounce – and anyone who has ever used purity knows that an ounce alone can go a LONG way. Seriously, if you want this stuff, check out Nordstrom’s sales.

Nordstrom Anniversary Picks - Foreo Issa Mini

More FOREO I’ve written about – the Issa Mini, for $89 – and the full-sized Issa, for $149.

Nordstrom Anniversary Picks - Silk'n

The Silk’n Flash & Go Freedom is on sale for $147.99. When you consider the cost of cartridges (plus your time), even just a reduction in shaving frequency is worth it. I’m still assessing it, but you can read when I first got it here and my most-recent update here.

Nordstrom Anniversary Picks - Zella Live In Leggings

And for a non-skincare item, these Zella Live-In Leggings are incredible. Thick, sturdy, opaque, not-showy or inappropriate. There’s a bit of a cult formed around these, now. If you’re in between sizes, size up, even if the True Fit Size says size down) – I made the mistake of sizing down last time. (The sized-down ones aren’t uncomfortable once they’re on, but it takes some doing to get them on.)

July 2016 Empties

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I don’t often do empties posts because I don’t tend to run through a ton of products in a close enough time-frame for it to be worth it. I don’t tally up my empties for months. This month, however, was one such month where the stars aligned and I ran out of a handful of things.

clinique

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel – I first tried this in Spring 2015 and really liked it. It ultimately became my daytime moisturizer. Since I revamped my skincare process, it’s become my go-to everything moisturizer; I add in a few drops of oil if my skin is feeling super-parched. I purchased a second bottle a couple months ago since I knew this was coming. Like all of Clinique’s skincare, this is a fragrance-free product. It contains no SPF, so you will need to wear a separate one.

July 2016 Empties - Clinique Black Honey
Clinique Almost Lipstick – Also on the Clinique train, I didn’t realize it until yesterday but my tube of Black Honey is almost spent! I had restocked during a recent Ulta haul without even realizing how far gone my existing one was. Good thinking, past me. Black Honey is effortless.

See the rest of my July 2016 Empties after the jump…

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Skincare Arsenal Update – June 2016

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I needed to take my own advice and get back to basics. My skincare routine became too complicated and had too many moving parts. I was vacillating between Cetaphil Gentle, philosophy Purity, Noxzema Triple Clean, and random cleanser samples I had received from Sephora and Ulta (because that’s what you do when you’re a beauty blogger who reviews things). I was inconsistently using this toner, that moisturizer. Exfoliant roulette. Masque roulette. You get it. I was all over the place.

All that combined with a stressful eight months and my skin just wasn’t my biggest fan. It was making me crazy, and it was preventing me from having as much fun with my makeup. So I revamped my skincare arsenal and process to get back to consistency, and I’ll just need to go longer between trying new skin products for science. Tomorrow, I turn 25 – and I’m doing so with skin that is behaving.

Makeup Removal & Cleansing

Skincare Arsenal Update - Cleansing

Micellar Water – I am really impressed by how well the Garnier one I reviewed is treating me. As I don’t use waterproof mascara or go hardcore, full-face every day, I’m delighted with the way this stuff has been (oh-so-gently!) treating my skin. A lot of people have eschewed their other face products in favor of this minimalist product; I can see why. I’ve picked up the one by Simple (I liked their Micellar wipes, after all) to try, but I’m not remotely unhappy with the Garnier one. I still have Kirkland Makeup Wipes; they’re effective, inexpensive, and convenient – but I’m growing tired of the fragrance. They’re still a good product and a great value, but I am scaling back my usage in favor of micellar products. Personally, I’m also not in love with something so disposable for everyday use.

Cetaphil Gentle – Tried and true. Just as good without water as with. Plays nicely with both my Clarisonic and my Luna Mini.

philosophy Purity – For when I need a deeper clean. This is about as ‘hardcore’ of a clean as I want, these days. Also plays nicely with both aforementioned tools.

Keep reading for more on my Skincare Arsenal Update…

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March and April 2016 Haul

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Since my no-buy ended, I treated myself to a few things. Okay, I went ham and it ended up being a March and April 2016 Haul. More on everything soon!

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One, Milani Luminoso, which I shared on Wednesday.

Value Sets - Sephora Paint it PinkMarch and April 2016 Haul – A mini-haul in itself!

Two, this value set, which I mentioned ordering earlier this month. (More on it next week.) I already rid myself of the box in my spontaneous Spring Cleaning extravaganza.

cinemasecretsThree, in the same order as that value set, a gigantic 32 ounce bottle of the most majestic brush cleanser in the universe.

blackmagicFour, also from that same purchase these reusable microfiber makeup remover cloths. These are Sephora’s in-house knockoff of The Original Makeup Eraser. Haven’t tried it yet.

More after the jump…

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Getting a new Skincare Gadget

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Remarkably, I’ve spent less of my recent personal time on a computer than the past year. My day job has been more demanding recently, so I’ve had less personal time and I’ve actually wanted to give myself a break from the screens. I’m reading paper books more. I’m taking more walks.

At the end of the day, though, I still like buttons and internet in a lot of things – including my skincare.

I’ve been a Clarisonic Mia2 loyal for approaching three years, now – which is crazy, because it seems like just yesterday (really 5 years ago) I just learned about that particular skincare gadget and was incredulous at the cost.

For the last few months, my skin has been having a hissy fit. I’ve used a fresh brush head since, and I clean it regularly. Although I don’t think it is the Clarisonic’s fault, I decided for science and curiosity to try the Foreo Luna Mini. So I took advantage of one of the sought-after 20% off Ulta Platinum Perks and ordered one last week. It’s due to arrive in a day or two.

Foreo Luna Mini Skincare Gadget

Going in, I don’t have any preconceived notions or expectations for the device. I am a bit excited about the the hygienic aspect and the fact that you don’t need to replace expensive brush heads every 3-4 months.

If you don’t already, would you consider using a skincare gadget or tool?