A look at the beauty and skincare products I’ve been loving this month! anastasia brow definer I’m on such a brow kick. My brows are my main focus right now, honestly. I’m currently in the process of growing out the front part of my brows, so filling them in is 100% necessary. I left my brow pencil at home one day, and borrowed my friend’s from Anastasia . I LOVED how easy it was to apply it, and how well the color went with my brow color. So what did I do? Naturally went and picked up my own the next day . crabtree & evelyn I went to an event recently with Crabtree & Evelyn and was able to test out some of their products. If you haven’t heard of them, now is the time to try them out. My favorite product is probably their Renew & Nourish Hand Cream . It’s pretty thick, but doesn’t feel icky – just think less is more! I’m also into their body oil and face foam ! eyelash extensions I know there are A LOT of mixed reviews about eyelash extensions, but I gotta tell you – I AM HERE FOR THEM. I first got my eyelash extensions in 2015 for my sister’s bachelorette party. And honestly, I’ve had them ever since. So yeah, that means I still have eyelashes for those skeptics;) While they’re definitely a lot of maintenance, they’re completely worth it. I wake up and barely need to put anything on my face ( see my make up routine here ). It’s especially nice in the summer months to not have to worry about mascara running down your face because you’re sweating! Sometimes I can go an entire month without getting a new set, and other times I like to go every two weeks. If you’re in New York, I go to Secret Eyelash (cannot believe I’m LITERALLY telling you my secret place). It’s not the fanciest salon – I used to go to Lashes On 5th and it was MY FAVORITE, but you get what you pay for. In this case, it’s….wait for it…only $65 WITH TIP. You can thank me later. What are you loving this month?!

A look at the beauty, skincare, and self care products I’ve been loving this month! elderberry gummies Not only do these taste delicious, they’re also a natural way to support your body’s immune system. Elderberries are packed with antioxidants and potassium , as well as act as an anti-inflammatory. Now that it’s cold and flu season, I’m trying to prevent getting sick at all costs. I’m trying to do less medicines and more natural things to help my body. apple cider vinegar shampoo I mentioned this shampoo briefly in The Friday Edit a few weeks ago, but wanted to circle back to talk about it more in depth. I’m honestly LOVING this shampoo so far. For a while, I’ve been taking a lot of heat to my hair, so I was excited to learn that WOW helps repair damaged hair. Also, winter is upon us here in New York, and this shampoo helps ease dry scalp. Another great thing about WOW is that it really cleans your hair. Since I don’t wash my hair very often, I love the feeling of a super clean scalp after using this shampoo. And one more thing to note: This shampoo helps with slowing down hair loss! Although this isn’t something I personally deal with, I thought it was such a great talking point – in case you’re dealing with that! welly first aid One day I was at Allie’s apartment and desperately (ok, fine, not desperate) needed a bandaid. She handed me these Welly bandaids and said I could keep them. At first, I thought they were kind of weird because they were in a tin and looked funny. I obviously put one on anyway, and was SO impressed by them. The specific bandaids I used were hydrocolloid pads that seal in moisture to promote faster healing (i.e. keeping out germs and dirt). I also swear these bandaids stuck to you LIKE GLUE. Seriously. And they didn’t get that gross “yeah, I’ve been wearing this bandaid for too long” look. So basically, I’m never NOT going to be wearing these bandaids when I get a cut or blister! There are so many kinds of bandaids and kits you can get – and you won’t believe the price!

Taking care of your skin is one of the most important things you could do for yourself. And now there’s a great solution to figure out what works best for YOUR skin specifically. Skinsei is a new-to-me company that helps you find a unique routine to fit all of your biggest skincare concerns. I think in today’s world, we’re bombarded with products and brands. For me, I used to buy products just because someone else recommended them or they looked cool…even though I had NO idea what kind of skin type it was good for. What initially intrigued me about Skinsei was how much research goes into finding your routine after you take a simple diagnostic. These questions are going to ask everything from skin concerns (oily, dry, etc.) to lifestyle (sleep, drinking, etc.) to diet. After you take the quiz and optional selfie to further analyze your skin, Skinsei will give you an assessment of all the factors affecting your skin. Next, you’ll get a 3-5 step regimen that is PERSONAL to you! I received a 5-step routine and started testing it out immediately. I thought it was interesting that micellar water was included in my routine as opposed to a regular cleanser. For the longest time I was confused about what micellar water actually was. Micellar water is a great cleanser for removing a lot of gunk (for lack of a better word) off your face. Living in New York City can be horrific for your skin, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this product rids your skin of dirt and make up! So, what are my other thoughts on Skinsei? I LOVE IT! Obviously, with any routine, consistency is A MUST. Their products are really affordable, which makes me excited to continue using this routine. Bonus points that all products from Skinsei are pH balanced! I like that these products aren’t going to throw off my skin’s rhythm! I hope this post helps introduce you to a really great skincare brand that is SO personal! If you want to try out for yourself, you can use code DANA20 for 20% off your first purchase! Thank you to Skinsei for partnering on this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

While I’m definitely not a beauty junkie or guru, I’ve really learned to appreciate a good skincare routine. I used to severely complain about my skin being dry, flakey, oily at times, and uneven. And wanna know why that was? Because I was too lazy to invest in a good skincare routine. I literally barely washed my face with soap and water. Uh huh. I’ll admit that. I started getting into a routine in 2018 . Since then, I really tried to find products that worked for my skin. I’ve tried a bunch, loved a bunch, and hated a bunch. A lot of money was spent, but I think it was all for good reason — to keep my skin looking and feeling great. Another honesty moment: I never really cared about clean beauty products. I’ve always just purchased whatever I thought would be good for my skin. Here’s where Beautycounter came in. I think I first heard of Beautycounter from Ashlee. I looked into products, but ultimately never purchased anything. When I went to Nantucket last summer, I stopped by their shop and really took a look at their products. I ended up only purchasing the Dew Skin because I was obsessed with that dewy look. And that was the end of that. I really had a decent skincare routine down. Spending more time at home during COVID, and prioritizing self-care, I realized I wanted to change up my routine, and incorporate safer products. I decided to join as a Beautycounter consultant for 2 reasons: 1. Mainly because I wanted a 25% discount, and 2. Because I share products with my audience anyway, so I figured I could do that too if I liked it. Since there’s zero commitment (and it’s not an icky MLM), I figured there was no risk at all. I’ve since stopped doing the consultant, but still use my Beautycounter products! nightly skincare routine I started my clean skincare journey by purchasing the Countermatch Regimen Set , and some other products that fit within my usual routine. Below is my step-by-step nighttime skincare routine with all of my new Beautycounter products! Countermatch Refresh Foaming Cleanser This foaming cleanser is perfect for removing face and eye make up, washing away impurities, and leaving your skin glowing. Since the FIRST time I washed my face with this cleanser, I knew it was going to become a favorite. My skin was INSTANTLY smoother and it didn’t feel tight or dry. I use this cleanser every night and in the morning! Countermatch Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner If you asked me a year ago what a toner does…I probably wouldn’t have been able to answer. Think of toner as a prep step. Toner removes any last traces of dirt and impurities that are stuck in your pores after cleansing. This is actually the first toner I’ve used that was gel-based, and I really love the way my skin feels after. I use 1-2 pumps on a cotton pad, and apply to my clean, dry face. It doesn’t feel me leaving sticky, and I love that it not only helps with my pores, but also leaves my skin feeling hydrated. I let that sink in for a couple of minutes before moving onto my next step. Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence Ok so an essence is ALSO another product that I bought on the fly without actually knowing what it does for your skin. I’ve been using essences in my routine for a little over a year, and can definitely say they’re like magic. I don’t know HOW or WHAT they actually do…but my skin feels better. Apparently essences are slightly more beneficial than toners, and provides your skin with vital nutrients — and this one certainly feels instantaneous. The hydrating formula leaves my skin feeling radiant and ready for the next few steps I have in my routine. This particular essence is milky, lightweight, and feels really relaxing on the skin. Dime Hyper Glow Serum Described as an “antioxidant powerhouse”, this serum has Vitamin C and other things that are good for your skin;) There’s also Vitamin E, which helps boost a natural defense against oxidation caused by pollution, toxins, and other environmental stressors (AND HELLOOOOO I NEED THAT IN NEW YORK CITY). I noticed after about two weeks of use that my skin looks brighter and more supple. No, I’m serious — Rob always looks at my skin and says, “You have supple skin”…and now HE started using it! Dime Hyaluronic Acid I didn’t know my skin needed hyaluronic acid until I started using it. This replenishing serum helps quench thirsty skin — and boosts bounce by delivering intense hydration when it’s needed the most. This 100% hyaluronic acid serum tailors itself to fit the hydration needs of ALL skin types! I’ve noticed it plumps my skin almost immediately! Using it with the Hyper Glow serum has done WONDERS for my skin. Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream This might be my favorite product. I’m ALL for a good moisturizer. This overnight cream helps create a protective layer to shield skin from moisture loss during sleep. The advanced formula replenishes hydration and revitalizes skin with a blend of hyaluronic acid (one of the most effective hydrating ingredients), squalane (draws moisture into the skins/restores elasticity), and plum oil (provides nutrients for vibrant skin). Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream And finally…an eye cream. I had been neglecting an eye cream for a few months because I had finished one of my previous products. I was really happy that the Countermatch Regimen Set had this eye cream in it! This lightweight cream is perfect for the delicate eye area. AND THAT IS ALL SHE WROTE!!! My simple, yet somewhat lengthy (I mean, it only takes like 10 minutes tops) nighttime skincare routine. I’m SUPER happy with how my skin has been looking and feeling. I also just feel better knowing that I’m using clean beauty products. It also is important to me to share these kinds of products with YOU since I want to make sure you’re also putting good things on your skin. Honestly, my morning routine kind of looks the same, except I add SPF and a lighter moisturizer ! What does your night time beauty routine look like?

Smooth lips are something we all strive for, right? Maybe just me? Well anyway, over the last few weeks, I’ve been testing out a lot of lip balms for “research purposes”. And yes, I love using my blog for these types of purchases, because they’re obviously V. IMPORTANT. It’s our lips we’re talking about people!!! Not only are chapped lips annoying, but I’m also super prone to cold sores. If my lips are chapped for more than a couple of hours, I know I’m going to get a cold sore. Let’s keep going so we can see which lip balm is my favorite. ( Do I even have a favorite?! ) MY HONEST REVIEWS OF TRENDY LIP BALMS Summer Friday Lip Butter Balm I didn’t think I was going to love this lip balm if we’re being honest. When I originally went to Sephora to buy it, it was sold out at the location, so I knew it must be at least DECENT. I didn’t actually know too much about the balm, so when I did some online research, I was a little skeptical of it because it was pigmented – I was really just looking for something to make my lips nice ‘n smooth. The Vanilla wasn’t available, so I went with the next best option – Vanilla Beige. Definitely a glossy finish, but I do like that it doesn’t appear as a color on my lips. While I like this one (I do love the applicator though),I find myself grabbing other lip balms. Rating: 3/5 Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment I remember when Rhode Beauty first came out and everyone went nutty. I had heard good things about the peptide lip treatment , so I kept an eye on it to order when it was back in stock. The only flavor that was available at the time was the Watermelon Slice. When I tell you IT SMELLS AND TASTES EXACTLY like a watermelon, I mean it. At first, I thought it was a bit too sticky, but now I’m thinking it’s because my lips were just dry and icky. Now I find myself reaching for it – mainly because I keep this by my nightstand. It definitely has a high gloss finish, so keep that in mind. Rating: 4/5 Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm This is actuallywhat started my lip balm craze. Once I tried the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm , I wanted to see what other brands had to offer. I had picked this up during a random trip to Sephora. I loved the packaging, and for whatever odd reason, I was into the larger swivel stick ( spoiler alert: look at the next lip balm ). This balm is definitely more of a traditional balm. No noticeable sheen on your lips, so that was a plus for me. And it DEFINITELY keeps your lips hydrated. I usually keep it on my entry table so I can throw it into whatever bag I’m using for the day. Rating: 4/5 Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm I think I was watching Summer House and saw someone using the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter lip balm . I’m 99.9% sure I immediately ordered a 3-pack from Amazon . This brought me back to my younger days. I’ve always loved Palmer products – I’m not sure why. Maybe my mom kept the cocoa butter in our bathroom? But I for sure remember using their lip balm as well. Although they look like a straight up glue stick, the delicious smelling cocoa butter product feels like a velvety kiss on my lips. AND I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. I’m giving it a 4/5 because I do feel like I need to reapply constantly – but I think that’s because I just love the smell so much. Rating: 4/5 Laneige Lip Glowy Balm When I saw the Summer Friday balm was sold out, I looked for a brand alternative and spotted this one from Laneige. I’ve raved about some other products by Laneige before on the blog, and I’m pretty sure I was an OG user of the infamous lip sleeping mask . This lip balm was another one I heard great things about. But again, I was skeptical about the pigmented options. I picked what I thought would tint my lips the least — the peach flavor . (As I did more research, I realized I probably would have been okay with any of the options.) I keep this one in my bag for the office. I will say I don’t feel like it lasts very long, so I do need to keep it around in order to continue to apply. Rating: 3/5 Fenty Plush Puddin’ Wow. Just wow. That’s really all I can say. My friend, Ailsa , and I were talking about lip balms and she told me I NEEDED to pick up the Fenty Plush Puddin’ balm . It was sold out when I originally went to purchase it, but man am I happy I snagged this. So if you’re reading this and it’s still sold out – keep an eye on it ( Fenty’s website has re-stock notifications ). My first impression was “eh I don’t love the applicator”, but once I put it on, I was sold. I still don’t LOVE the small hole and the large tube, BUT it’s a small peeve because this stuff is good. Really good. I will say it is THICCCCCCCCCCCK. So a little goes a long way. A really long way. This is strictly my night time lip balm: I keep it on my nightstand, apply as needed before bed, and in the morning I STILL wake up with product on my lips. Rating: 5/5 PHEW, you still with me? Do any of my reviews shock you? Are there any products you’re excited to try?!

As I got into my mid 20s, I really started appreciating skincare. Now that I’m in my 30s, I notice a difference if I go even ONE day without my skincare. I feel like I have my morning and night routines down to a T, and there are products that are absolute staples. These are skincare products you’ll want to buy in bulk – unless you live in a 600 sq. ft. apartment like me. But let’s be honest, that hasn’t stopped me yet. So let’s get into it, shall we? Skincare Products You’re Going To Want In Bulk Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel Cream Okay let’s kick off with one of my favorite skincare products. This moisturizer came highly recommended on Instagram a few months ago, and I’m SO glad I picked it up. I’ve now stocked up three times on this product (both Rob and I use it). This moisturizer has become my every day (layered under the Sunday Riley CEO Brightening Moisturizer ) one. I really feel like it moisturizes my skin SO well. It also feels nice and cool on your skin, and I love waking my face up with it! Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream OOOOH WEEEE, I love this cream . I had it in my cart for a long time, and finally bought it once I needed a new night cream. The first thing I noticed was a little goes a LONG way, and I love that. This small jar is going to last me a while! This botanical face cream visibly increases that plumpness we all want…WHILE WE SLEEP. Waking up after the first night of using the cream , I noticed I wasn’t waking up with dry patches around my cheeks and chin. That was my first green flag – improvement after ONE use! Some notable ingredients are omega fatty acids, botanicals, and Squalane (which you’ll see again later). I also want to point out the texture of the cream – it’s whipped into this lightweight, and for lack of a better term, cloud like texture. It feels pretty thick on, but absorbs nicely into the skin! First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner I’m almost done with my f irst bottle of this toner , and I’m definitely buying more. I believe this is an underrated product. I use this right after cleansing to help give my skin some additional cleanse, and then it helps soothe, soften and moisturize my skin. I always think of toner as the prep step — after using, my skin is ready to absorb my serums, oils, and moisturizers. Farmacy Filling Good Hyaluronic Acid This product was gifted to me, and it’s very good. I just finished the bottle, and it’s already in my cart for my next Sephora run. I started using a hyaluronic acid last year, and definitely love the added hydration. This serum helps plump the skin while hydrating and smooths the look of wrinkles. If you’re concerned with fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, and elasticity…this product is for you! I love the lightweight formula, it feel SO nice on my skin. I definitely notice my skin feels more hydrated and smooth. This serum also absorbs really well into my skin, which is always an added bonus! The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane Since dryness has been the bigger concern for me over the last few months, I wanted to add more hydration products into my routine. I started researching products for dryness and found this from The Ordinary – I actually had used their hyaluronic acid , but started using the Farmacy one once my bottle was done. This isn’t my first product from the brand. I actually own quite a few of their products. I think they’re INCREDIBLY reasonable in terms of prices. But Squalane is an exceptional product for hydration, so this is something I’m definitely going to purchase over and over again. I’ll admit, the first few minutes of putting this on, I was a little nervous about how oily my skin looked like. BUT, that subsided once it absorbed into my skin and especially after ice rolling. I wake up with significantly more hydrated skin as opposed to when I didn’t use this product. The love I have for some skincare products might seem weird, but when you find skincare products that make you love your skin…there’s nothing better! These products have really helped me love my skin and address the concerns I have. What are some of your hero skincare products?