So here it is. I am starting a blog. Again. However, in the time that has passed, I have learned a lot about myself, my husband, and how I want to live my life. First, the one aspect to remember is that no one is perfect. We are all perfectly unperfect. Also, everyone is going through something.
I want to mention that disasters change you. Not always for the better, but any sort of disaster has a profound effect on how you see life afterwards. When Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Panhandle last year (10/10/18), we were home in the middle of the hurricane. I know that it is a vague memory for the rest of the world, but for the people that live here it is still fresh in our minds. It seems many of us cannot “get over” what happened. Of course, it would be easier to heal if our homes were repaired. Many still have those blue tarps covering their roofs. Alas, I do not wish to travel back down this road of “Woe is me. I was in a Category 5 Hurricane and lived to tell about it. ” There are many people writing about their life during and after the hurricane. I will touch on that topic as we are finally beginning the repairs of our home. I want to talk about everything else. I mean, everything. From coffee, mascara, pets, which laundry detergent works best and how difficult it can be to live a Ketogenic lifestyle. So stay tuned for more topics. Very little is considered too personal. I am excited about this new adventure as I share my life with you.
Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.
I have an Anatolian Shepherd with the most horrendous allergies. It started when he was close to just over a year old and the veterinarian said to give him a single Zyrtec or Benadryl (based on his weight). She mentioned it would be easier to give him a single Zyrtec rather than the 4 Benadryl. He was developing one ear infection per year. Then it increased to two ear infections at the age of two and when he was three, the skin infections started on his tummy, in addition, to the ear infections. During this time we had to switch to a different veterinarian because the other moved away. The new veterinarian put him on another allergy medication, which scared me after reading more about it. It is an immune suppressant and I really believe those can be dangerous. He was still experiencing skin infections, but the veterinarian tried to reassure me that it was probably a grain allergy. So I also started Finn on grain-free food. My Anatolian is such a picky eater than he would refuse to eat and not care if the cats ate his food. In response to make sure he was actually eating, I began making his food and stopped giving him commercial dog food. His allergic reactions still persisted with this past year being the worst. It seemed like 2020 was a terrible year for Finn as well as the rest of the world. He went to the veterinarian 4 times this year for skin infections as well as ear infections. The veterinarian suggested an allergy test, but suggested that they needed to be the ones to do it and it would be costly. Then she mentioned that the price would go up at the start of the year.
Finn my Anatolian Shepherd
Then I found 5Strands. It was much easier than making another trip to the veterinarian’s office. I ordered it, they shipped the test, I brushed Finn and was able to get enough pieces of fur to place in the bag, which is not difficult for dogs with medium or long fur. It took a total of 10 days and I did not have to sit at the veterinarian’s office or waste time making and paying for 2 appointments plus the test. I’m not saying Finn is not worth doing all of that, but this pandemic makes life more difficult that it needs to be.
5Strands Allergy Test 5Strands ContentsInstructions
What did I find out? Finn is allergic to nearly everything I was feeding him. Pumpkin, blueberries, peas, green beans, lamb, beef, pork, and the list goes on and on. No wonder my sweet fur baby couldn’t catch a break from all the skin and ear infections. When he was eating commercial dog food it had lamb and sweet potatoes as the main ingredients. I felt like the worst pet parent on the planet. Becoming aware of his allergies was such an eye opening moment. 5Strands sent the notification from their app that the results were ready at 3am. I could not wait to open them so when I saw the notification, I opened the app immediately. Knowing what Finn is allergic to has been a difficult, I can’t stress that enough. However, if it means keeping him from developing itchy, inflamed skin and ear infections, I will do anything. This also meant that everything he consumed needed to be checked before it was given to him. Treats, heartworm prevention and everything in between.
Finn was taking the Trifexis chewable heartworm prevention. There is beef in the Trifexis heartworm prevention chews. So the veterinarian researched it while we were in office with the last skin infection. The choices are limited because many of the heartworm prevention medications contain beef, pork or chicken. As I’ve mentioned before, we live in Florida and heartworms are prevalent along with fleas. So heartworm and flea prevention is necessary. My goal is to try to avoid giving my pets any extra chemicals if I can help it.
Treats are difficult. Most commercial treats are out of the question and it seems I will be spending time making those specifically to meet his needs. I have two other dogs so treats are needed. I cannot give the other two treats and not Finn. It just would not be fair. I’ve made many dog treats in my life so this is nothing new. I will just be baking dog treats more often.
How is his new food lifestyle? He seems to be enjoying it. I do not argue with him about eating. I know, arguing with a dog is a waste of time, but I was worried about his refusal to eat commercial dog food. He eats strictly what is on his list of approved foods. I had to make a menu for him based on that list. If you are purchasing foods for an allergic dog, I would suggest making a list before you go and not attempt to look at the list while shopping. Of course, with the pandemic going on, you may be doing what I do and utilizing the pick up option at a grocery store.
Things to note when doing 5Strands. Make sure you register the test before you send it. They stress how it must be registered before they receive it. I registered it before I mailed it because I was afraid I would forget. Also, it’s not difficult and familiarize yourself with how the results will be displayed before you get the actual results. I read the FAQ section on the app. I noticed people complained they did not understand how to read the results. I found it more difficult to keep track of each allergy. As in, was it Gelatin that he is allergic to or was it Glycerin? Gelatin. He is actually allergic to Gelatin, which is found in many treats. I will not tell you it will always be easy or fun. Trying to make sure that your dog maintains calories and eats the correct foods it a challenge. But absolutely worth it.
Thanks for reading!
The 5Strands allergy test is not sponsored nor was it gifted.
I love mascara. It is the one product that always defines the eye. With different applications, mascara can change your whole look without too much effort. That being said, I cannot live without mascara and find myself constantly purchasing it to try out new ones.
Covergirl Exhibitionist is the mascara of my dreams. I met this mascara at Ulta. Yes, I said “met”. I felt like I had “met” my soulmate of mascara. It was on sale at the time and I factored that in my reasoning that it was a good idea. I try to limit my visits to Ulta when I have a plan in mind of what I need or what I am looking for. If not, I can stay in Ulta for hours. I can shop in Ulta for so long that my husband makes friends while sitting on the benches outside the store. It makes me feel guilty because he does not do that to me. Of course, he does not like to shop.
Covergirl Exhibitionist Mascara in 805 Black
The claims are similar to most mascaras. Separates lashes, no smudging and no flaking. How many times have we heard those claims only to find they were not true? It does not matter if it is high end mascara or drugstore mascara, most of the claims are not true. At least, not for me. The heat and humidity in Florida do terrible things to makeup. In the spring, summer and extended summer that all you have to do is walk outside to start sweating. Yes, I said extended summer. We get a moment for fall and then maybe a month or two (if we’re lucky) for winter. A mild winter. I tend to be skeptical when brands state their makeup lasts through the heat and humidity. So when I came across this magnificent mascara, I knew I needed to keep in my life forever.
First thing to note, it stands up to the heat and humidity in Florida. At least, it did for me. I wore Covergirl Exhibitionist Mascara in 805 black for 10 hours. It. Did. Not. Smudge. Many mascaras smudge and give me that popular raccoon look that I am not fond of. It did make my lashes appear longer. The formula was neither too liquid or dry. Though it did dry out some after a week, but it still managed to coat my lashes thoroughly. The wand fits perfectly in my hand. The brush is not one of those terrible plastic brushes that skip through my lashes and coat them unevenly. This brush could be a bit smaller to catch the lashes better in the outer corners, but it did a much better job than most. I was able to get a couple of coats in before it was fully dry, which allowed me to get a more dramatic look.
This vegan mascara is currently on sale at Ulta for $8.39 (the regular price is $11.99). If you go to the Covergirl website, it gives you a list of places to purchase it and the regular price. Target is selling it for $7.99. That is the lowest price I have found.
From the staying power to the ability to coat my lashes with thoroughly every time, this may just be the perfect mascara.
Coola is an interesting brand. They offer all the good stuff without all the bad in a sunscreen. I was optimistic when I added this to my FunFitFab box as an “add-on”. I saw this brand previously while at Ulta and online, but I always forgot to add it to my cart and purchase it. Which is a signature move of mine when I get distracted.
Let’s take a look at the brand for a moment. They use 70% +n organic ingredients. Non-GMO ingredients. Their slogan is “Farm to Face” and the organic ingredients are third-party USDA accredited. They are cruelty-free, Vegan, Gluten-free, Reef friendly without synthetic fragrances and are antioxidant enriched. They support local communities that follow farming practices that are sustainable. Another interesting point is that the majority of their bottles and jars are made from glass. While the tubes are created with “sustainably sourced sugar-cane resin”. It offers “Plant Protection”, which is taking ingredients that are naturally good for your skin and adding them to the product. As in they are not added chemicals that are added to preserve the product or those that need other chemicals to become “activated”. Ingredients like Avocado Oil, Aloe Leaf and Cocoa Seed Oil.
They follow strict guidelines that excludes:
No Parabens
No Pthalates
No Cyclical Silicones
No Sulfates (SLS/SLES)
No Synthetic or Artifical Fragrances
No EDTA (Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid)
No Formaldehyde
No Hydroquinone
No Lanolin
No Micro-beads
No Mineral Oil
No Palm Oil
No Petrolatum and Paraffin
No Polyacrylamide
No Talc
No BHA and BHT
No MIT
No Phenoyethanol
No Oxybenzone
No Octinoxate
What first attracted me to this sunscreen was the fact that it has a matte finish. A matte finish in a sunscreen was highly appealing considering how the humidity affects my skin. I look “dewy” in an hour. A look that some with drier skin covet and those of us that have that natural “dewy” look try to remove it or at least take it down a couple of notches. This sunscreen from Coola offers shine free UVA/UVB protection without all the harmful or questionable ingredients. It is said to be able to double as a primer. Interested? I most certainly was. Anything that makes such claims interest me.
As I held this white squeeze tube of sunscreen, I worried if there would be a smell. I am prone to migraines so this was a normal concern of mine. I took the plunged and opened it. It was not offensive and it did not give me a migraine. The smell was similar to that of other mineral sunscreens. It felt a bit grainy to the touch which was not super appealing, but it smoothed out completely after my skin warmed up the product. After applying it I noticed it did not leave a white cast on my skin. Which always screws with foundation in the worst possible way. It does have light weight coverage. I could barely feel in on my skin even after applying foundation. There are some mineral sunscreens that feel heavy on the skin and applying foundation only makes it feel worse. It makes me feel that I have layers of products on my skin, which I do, but I do not want to feel them all. I want them to meld with my skin and go unnoticed as I go about my day. I’m sure there are others that want the same.
I did not read any reviews before trying it as I wanted to give it a real review without precognitive ideas. Here’s the bad news. The mineral sunscreen gave my skin a “glowy” look to it, which I was not a fan of. It did not feel greasy on my skin. It just appeared “dewy”. It did not control shine on my skin. It did not cause my foundation to break down, but it did give the appearance of being “dewy”. This is only how it worked with my skin. My skin can be quite finicky and refuse to cooperate with some formulas. I did try this as a primer and under my primer. The result was the same. It did not mesh well with my skin. I’ve tried it a few other times to see if it was something I was doing that would create the issues. So far, my skin reacted the same. Please remember, my skin despises the humidity. It makes my skin feel sticky and causes my foundation to melt. There are times I wonder why I bother with foundation at all. If I know I will be out in the heat and humidity for too long, I apply a setting powder over my foundation and hope for the best.
The Good News. I did not have any sort of weird skin reaction. I did not break out. I felt my skin received good coverage from the sun. It did not make my skin feel greasy. That in of itself is a huge plus. Also, it did not make my foundation break down. I felt I was being a better human to myself and the Earth for choosing a product that did not have all of those terrible ingredients in it. Plus the container was made from sugar cane and it 100% recyclable.
Here’s the bad news. The mineral sunscreen gave my skin a “glowy” look to it, which I was not a fan of. The claims that it controlled shine were not true for my skin. I found there was nothing matte about it. This is only how it worked with my skin. My skin can be quite finicky and refuse to cooperate with some formulas. I did try this as a primer and under my primer. The result was the same. It did not mesh well with my skin. I’ve tried it a few other times to see if it was something I was doing that would create the issues. So far, my skin reacted the same.
I cannot say I was not disappointed. However, I always try to keep an open mind because what works for one person may not work for everyone. I did not read any reviews before trying it as I wanted to give it a real review without precognitive ideas. I read a couple of reviews after trying it and it seems the product worked differently before it was reformulated. The previous product before the reformulation is the one I should have tried. At this point, it is what it is. However, I will be looking at the product selection for Coola to find another to try. I believe in what the company does. It all sounds wonderful and I wish more brands would try to go this route. After all, we only have one Earth. We destroyed it and we should save it.
I am one of the few people on the planet that wears a powder foundation during the summer months or if you’re in Florida that would be spring, summer, fall and most of winter. In hot and humid weather it is a necessity if you want to wear foundation with an oily T-zone. Two Faced Chocolate foundation was my favorite. Once it was discontinued, I was heartbroken and started the search for my next favorite. I’ve tried many, many powder foundations over the last couple of years. I came upon Clinique Superpowder while in Ulta. I was tired of the one I was currently using. Never having tried any Clinique foundation previously, I thought I would give it a try.
It is a medium coverage powder foundation that claims to be long-wearing in a mirrored compact. It comes with a sponge, which I tried but did not like. The mirrored compact which was cute, but in all honesty would drive me crazy with finger prints.
An interesting claim is that it is a two-in-one powder and a foundation. Which means that it can be worn over foundation as a finisher or as a powder foundation. It has a more “skin-perfecting” finish. It is formulated without parabens and phthalates. It is ideal for all skin types. It is non-acnegenic. Dermatologist and allergy tested. Sweat and humidity resistant. Another bonus is that it is free of oil.
Also at Sephora the price is the same. You can also purchase it at the Clinique site at the same price point. however, on the Clinique site you can get a percentage off if you sign up to receive emails from them. There are many other places that you can purchase this powder foundation.
Now on to the review. I applied it with a brush hoping to smooth out the product over my skin. It worked better than the sponge it came with. Yet, it did not hold up to the humidity here in Florida. I also found my skin quite oily in my T-zone. I expected it to be a bit oily, but the results were not favorable to a foundation that claims that it is sweat and humidity resistant. The oils on my skin made short work of the foundation, however, with some blotting the foundation was fine. I did not notice any areas were it had rubbed off. I did notice that you had to apply it carefully because it became cakey quite quickly. It did not feel heavy on my skin, but did not look as nice as others. I used a primer during one test and went without on a separate occasion. It definitely looked better with a primer and had better staying power. Going sans primer is not an option for those with an oily t-zone in the Florida humidity. I’ve tried it several more times and it seems like an “ok” powder foundation. Does it compete with The Chocolate Foundation that Too Faced once carried? I have to say no. I was not satisfied with the results enough to place it in my favorites. Don’t get me wrong, it was not terrible. It just did not work that well with my skin. Which is not unusual. I will keep on with my search for a powder foundation that works with my skin.
I am a fan of The Ordinary skin care line. It works, it’s affordable and is now easier to purchase being sold at Deciem, Ulta and Sephora. Ulta and Sephora do not sell the whole product line, but you can can browse everything that The Ordinary has to offer at Deciem. However, it is difficult to find The Ordinary products at my Ulta or Sephora. I was in immediate need of more rose hip oil due to applying it every night thanks to the allergic reaction I had to hair dye. It really has helped the rash that developed because of the hair dye. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any and the next place to check was TJ Maxx (at the moment all TJX stores are closed due to the coronavirus). I did find a couple of different rose hip oil products there and choose the one by essano. Why that one in particular? The claims on the box of the rose hip oil by essano seemed similar to the one by the Ordinary. Let’s see those claims.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil with a dropper for application
There is a slight smell…smells a little nutty to me like Argan oil. It seems to disappear after applying it to the skin.
Price is $9.80 for 30 ml
Ingredients: Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Cold-pressed
Water-free
Alcohol free
Oil free
Silicone free
Nut free
Gluten free
Cruelty free
Vegan
I’ve used this for a year and have noticed little improvements in the texture of my skin. Plus, it gives a noticeable amount of hydration. Though my T-zone is oily, the remainder of my face seems to be lacking in hydration. With the rash I developed from hair dye, my skin was seriously dehydrated, inflamed, splotched, itchy and sore. It did increase the hydration in my skin and made the inflamed areas seems less severe.
essano Rose hip oil with a dropper for application
Purchased for $7.99 was the TJ Maxx retail price for 20 ml
You can find essano products on Amazon (which was considerably more than what I paid), Ebay and on the essano site.
Certified Organic
The smell is not as strong as the rose hip oil from The Ordinary. The smell is a bit fruity, but not overwhelming. I believe that is the Acai Oil.
Ingredients: Rosa Canina Fruit Oil (Rose hip), Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Pulp Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E).
Their promise:
No Parabens
Sulphates
Silicones
Phthalates
Ethoxylates
PEGs, PPGs
Mineral Oils
GMOs
Animal Testing
This was the substitute for The Ordinary’s Rose hip oil. It seems to do a tremendous job of helping my skin heal. Within a day, the redness was nearly gone. To my relief the itching was non-existent. At night, the itching was the worst on my neck. Drove me crazy and I would pat it because itching only made it worse and then the burning would start. Oh the burning…drove me insane. The areas on my cheeks and jawline were itch too, but nothing was as bad as my neck. This was the best product I could find to apply and it made such a difference. I even went to the doctor and they prescribed a cream for me, however, the cream was not to be used on the face. So what was the point of that? I could apply it to my neck and not my face. That did not make any sense especially since the itching, burning and redness persisted.
In conclusion, the rose hip oil from essano was a game changer. The oil from The Ordinary was good, but I believe that the Acai oil is what made the difference in my skin. My skin is smoother and softer because of the applications. I only use the product at night because I feel that oils may break down other creams or sunscreens. It is based on nothing except a concern. Either way, I am keeping the rose hip oil by essano in my nightly routine. The one by The Ordinary is a good product, but my preference is the rose hip oil with Acai oil by essano.
I recommend trying a rose hip oil out if you have scarring on your skin or if you need extra hydration.
Dr. Denese HydroShield Ultra Moisturizing Face Serum is the first product I’ve tried from Dr. Denese. I have seen her on QVC, a channel I find oddly calming when I would have anxiety in the morning before work. I’ve thought about ordering her products before to try them, however, a visit to TJ Maxx at the end of January gave me the opportunity. At the price of $4.99, I could not deny myself this opportunity. This is a 20ml plastic bottle stating it contains Ceramides, Soy, Retinol, Linoleic & Linolenic Acid. The directions say to apply to the entire face twice a day. There are special directions if you have oily to normal skin to apply the product to the eye area only according to what your skin needs.
I found there was a slight smell to the clear serum, but nothing unpleasant and it quickly disappears as the product is absorbed into the skin. Keep in mind, my skin is combination with an oily T-zone. I have applied this serum all over my face and it is not as oily as I anticipated. In fact, it has helped the areas of dry patches on my face. There have only been a handful of products that have helped that. Right now my skin is going through a terrible phase. Suddenly, I am allergic to my hair dye. I have used it a couple of times before and never had a reaction. This last time I developed a rash on my neck and cheeks. I was uncertain of the cause of the reaction, however, I used the semi-permanent dye to refresh my color and the rash appeared for a second time. That was the moment I was able to pinpoint the mysterious rash on my neck and face. No one has noticed my rash, except my husband, but it is slowly going away. Everything I have read states that it takes a couple of weeks for the rash to disappear. I have tried everything to soothe my red skin and this couple with a Dr. Perricone moisturizer is what did the trick. I’ll write more about that on the next blog. Back to the serum from Dr. Denese. I noticed a difference in the softness of my skin and how much healthier it appeared. I would love to keep this product in my regime of skin care because I can tell a difference in my skin’s hydration, texture and over all appearance. Even if that means, I must purchase it from another retailer as popular products are difficult to find in multiples at TJ Maxx. I will keep you posted on whether the item continues to work for me.
I found this at TJ Maxx. I am always on the lookout for skin care. I actually needed a new moisturizer. My skin is going through a dry phase. Mainly due to the “cold” weather we’ve experienced in Florida. Honestly, I prefer the colder weather. The humidity makes my T-zone a tragic oil spill.
Korres creates really nice products. Their moisturizers tend to be thicker, which I love. Korres claims this moisturizer is for normal to dry skin. From the box, “Intense moisturising, fast-absorbing cream for long-lasting hydration, ideal for sensitive skin. With Almond Blossom extract, almond proteins and two types of hyaluronic acid, it offers valuable water-binding ingredients, reduces water loss and promotes skin elasticity.”
Upon opening, I found it had a strong floral smell. Hello Almond Blossom! I expected it to have somewhat of a fragrance, but at first it is a bit strong. I can be sensitive to some smells, but this one faded after I applied it to my skin. I found the texture very nice. Creamy and decadent, it soothed the dry areas of my skin. I found this to be very enjoyable and hydrating. I have used this for the past three days and noticed a difference in my skin. I am only using this as my moisturizer because of the dry areas of my skin. It does not leave my skin like an oil slick or what do women say to make it sound better than an oil slick? Glowy. Luminous. Yeah, it sounds better, but having oily skin does not make me feel like it’s a luminous feeling. Oily skin feels gross. This moisturizer does not make me feel that way. If you have normal to dry skin (or in my case combination/oily), this item from Korres is a life saver.
We will be spending a couple of weeks in a travel trailer and I thought this would be perfect for the travel trailer and regular use. Also, we have the most difficult time getting the perfect crisp for French fries. We only baked them, which I know could possibly be part of the problem, but I refuse to fry foods. I really dislike the smell it puts in the house. I can’t imagine that it is good for our pets either. I know birds are sensitive to many things and while I do not have a bird, I believe animals are more sensitive than we are.
The Ninja Foodi comes as a 6.5 qt. and an 8 qt. Their tagline? “The Pressure Cooker That Crisps.” It is a multi-functioning gadget that allows people to create a whole meal in one pot. What is the Foodi able to do? It pressure cooks, air crisp, sear/sauté, bakes, broils, steams and slow cooks. If you get the 6.5 qt from some retailers it has a dehydrate function. We have a dehydrator so I did not see that as being a necessity. The 6.5 qt. will cook a 6-lb. roast or a 5-lb. chicken. Or if you are in need of 3-lbs of French fries, it will cook 3-lbs. of French fries. If you pressure cook a whole chicken and then air crisp it, you will never have to buy a rotisserie chicken again. That alone is exciting considering the last one I bought was not quite done and ended up being recooked once I cut into the chicken.
The 8qt. is bigger and pricier, but has the capabilities to cook a whole 7-lb. chicken! Ninja retails the 6.5 qt for $199.80 and the 8 qt. for $279.00. With only my husband and myself in our home, I did not see the point in purchasing the 8 qt. Depending upon where you purchase the Foodi, it comes with the Pressure Cooker lid, the Air Crisping lid, the reversible rack (deluxe reversible rack if you purchase the 8 qt.), the 4 qt. Cook and Crisp basket (the 5 qt. Cook and Crisp basket for the 8 qt.) and a recipe book. Also, the cooking accessories for the Instant Pot fit the Foodi. You can place other cookware inside the Foodi as long as it fits, however, glass is not recommended for use when using the Pressure Cooker function. Be sure to check which size you are purchasing to fit your Foodi. I would check Amazon because they have sets you can purchase that will fit your Foodi. For “How-to” videos, definitely check YouTube.
In anticipate of using our Foodi, I’ve joined a couple of groups on Facebook that share recipes created with the Ninja Foodi. I found them helpful when I was thinking of meal ideas. As of the day this blog was written, I have created turkey burgers twice and made some delicious and crispy French fries that were the perfect amount of crispy. I should be using it a bit more, but this week my husband is away on business and I usually do not cook if I am the only one eating. Although, I was thinking I might cook the sweet potatoes for the dogs this evening if I am feeling better. I am working with a migraine today due to the repairs being done on the house, Finn barking every 5 minutes and the weather going from cold to hot and humid.
At any rate, using the Foodi was easy and not as scary as I first thought. It was enjoyable to have burgers cook and not heat up the whole kitchen like the oven does. I will include detailed recipes and photos when I make the next meal with the Foodi.
+I am an avid fan of The Ordinary products. I love the majority of products I have tried and I am always eager to try anything new they create. I can give a list of everything that I use from The Ordinary if desired, just let me know. They offer great products that are affordable and a few items are now found at Sephora and Ulta. While there packaging is simple, I find it adorable. Nothing like little glass bottles with droppers.
I just happened to be in Ulta browsing for new items when I remembered I was in need of a new moisturizer. I am always on the lookout for the perfect moisturizer for combo/oily skin. I passed by the small endcap of The Ordinary products and stopped in my tracks. There sat the moisturizer I wanted to try. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. It comes in as 3.3 fl. oz. for $7.70. It contains Aqua, caprylic/capric Triglyceride, cetyl alcohol, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and a host of other ingredients that I cannot pronounce. The company claims the product is water free, although, the first ingredient is aqua (water), oil-free, alcohol-free (the third ingredient is cetyl alcohol), silicone-free, nut-free, gluten-free, vegan and cruelty-free. It contains compounds that are present in the skin and will continue to give lasting results with continued use. It did not have a terrible scent nor did it make me sneeze as many unpleasant scents do. It did have a slightly greasy feel to the formula.
The verdict. It worked ok, but made my skin a bit greasy. That was expected. I preferred the product placed on my hands instead of my face. My hands are constantly dry because I wash them all the time. The 3.3 fl. oz. goes quickly and it is difficult to get all of the moisturizer out of the tube. Will I purchase again? Not likely because of how greasy it made my skin. Considering I apply a moisturizer before I apply primer and foundation it did not seem like a good base for all of my other products. I will keep searching for the perfect moisturizer for my skin type.
It retails for $7.70 at Ulta, but $5.80 at Sephora and the Ordinary. I paid $7.70 because it was more of a I needed it right then situation.
Sara Happ the lip slip one luxe balm comes in a 0.5 oz jar. It says it gives “cashmere-like shine”. It claims to hydrate the lips with jojoba and macadamia oil. It is not tested on animals and is made in the USA.
I first saw this advertised on QVC one early morning. I have a “thing” for watching QVC in the morning. It seems to calm me down. I guess people spending their hard earned money on items either justifies that it’s ok that I do it or it has to do with hearing other people talk. We live out in the country so there are times that hearing other people speak is a comfort. Who knows? Some people enjoy reality tv, where I do not. QVC is my guilty pleasure. So Sara Happ is the owner and creator of Sara Happ The Lip Expert products. I remember hearing that she created this in her own kitchen after experiencing a terrible bout of dry, cracked lips. As the models applied the balm to their own lips, I saw the “cashmere-like” shine and kept thinking I should get that product. However, I never ordered it from there. I went on to work and forgot all about it.
Months later, I found it in Ulta and purchased it. It has a balm like texture, which was expected and did not taste like anything. Also, expected. It did hydrate my lips. It really works! I found them incredibly soft and supple. I kept trying this for a couple of more months and then I did the most horrible thing I could do. I forgot where I left it. At this moment, you might think that I am feeble and have a terrible time remembering anything. Not true. In fact, the only way that I misplace something that I use several times a day is when I have the most grand idea to switch to a different handbag. This happens when I am struck by this “idea” to use a different handbag right before I leave the house. It only causes me grief when I realize that something was “forgotten” in the old handbag. I know that I’m not the only whom has done that or currently does that. Because of that weird habit of switching handbags at the worst possible time, I am now sporting dry lips. Let me go fix that now before I get distracted by something else.
In summary, I cannot wait to try the other products that Sara Happ offers. If you sign up at Sara Happ to get updates for product releases and other goings on, you get 20% off. I’ve signed up and am excited to see what other items she has. I’ll keep you updated on what I purchases I make and those reviews. I’ve already received my code and I am checking out which products I need now.
Coffee to Mascara in life 