Skincare Archives - A Life From Scratch.

Beauty Products: Drug store favs

July 19, 2017 / By Courtney / 2 Comments

Gotta love a great drug store find. I’ve realized I’ve never shared my staples that are always in stock at my home. Some of these I even love better than the high priced options via Sephora or Nordstroms. Score! I hope you find a new product to try, and I’d love to hear any recommendations you have for me! Let’s do this.

My go to color for every single pedicure, Amen. I am so boring when it comes to this (my mom literally does like, flaming blue) but I’m a huge believer when you find your color you stay with it. I’ve done a bright coral once in awhile to try and be ‘fun’ but ultimately ended up missing my OPI ‘Don’t Pretzel My Buttons’ was on. Love it.
We keep a tub of this CeraVe cream in our master bath and the boys bathroom and slather it on cuts, scrapes, any weird rashes or dry patches. Sort of like the Windex a la Big Fat Greek Wedding, but hopefully a slightly healthier choice.
When it comes to make up, I am pretty bare bones. So when I find a product that does something good for you along with concealing, I’m all in. This product will fake you a good night sleep and increase the moisture in your skin. Yippee!
Oooohhh face oils are all the rage and this one feels super luxurious on the skin without the high end price tag. Plus it slathers on vitamins C, B3, and B5. Yummy.
Best drug store face cleanser. Ever. I don’t know why they even bother with other options.
A nightly must! I use two of these Burt’s Bees eye make up remover pads before washing up at night.
My sister in law originally recommended this mascara to me and I was hooked. The length it gives you is ridiculous and the tiny wand gets every. single. lash. I honestly can’t decide if I love this one or the more expensive Too Faced brand. If I had to pick, I might lean Maybelline.
Again, so minimal with the beauty products but when I do feel fancy (so rare) a lip gloss is my go to. The Neutrogena brand is light and simple enough for a make up novice like me, but it definitely gives a little extra something.

What do you think? Anything you might want to try?
C

Night Skin Care Routine

March 29, 2017 / By Courtney / 3 Comments

A few weeks back, I wrote about my morning skin care routine and I got a lot of interest so I thought I would walk through my night time routine. Again, making my skin a priority was apart of the whole self care focus for 2017 and I am happy to report that I am doing this routine 99% of the time. Yippee! A huge change for me was this: I wash up when the kids are washing up for bedtime, so 8:00ish. Then I go down and watch my shows, clean up the kitchen, blog, whatever. In the past I was waiting until I was ready to sleep (10:00) and totally skipping washing up because I was too tired. This has been the biggest success for my skin this year hands down. Give it a try.

Alright though, the products! Let’s discuss. Here is my line up, and I would so love to hear what works for you.

To begin, I wash my face with the same face wash as the morning: Origins Checks & Balances. I love this stuff, a little goes a long way.

Next I slather on my moisturizer. Again, a million on the market, right? Origins has been very good to my skin so I’m sticking by it: Origins Night-A-Mins. Super cute name, super delicious scent, my skin stays soft and smooth, all for a great price. No complaints, no need to ever change. I’ll be using this when I’m 80.

A newer part of the whole skin care routine, now I apply my Rodan+Fields eye cream. Same one as the morning I’m hopeful this cream is working all night to magically make me look 25 again. Hey, one can hope right?

Then I take a break. Head downstairs to Netflix, blog, pack lunches, whatever the night may hold. I like to give these products some time to sink in and do their thing.

Then, it’s bedtime. Unless I’m out or we are entertaining on the late side (rare), I’m in bed by 10:00PM. I am a huge fan of sleep and without it I am the devil. I also think it benefits my skin to get some zzzz’s. Definitely can’t hurt! So right before laying down I slather on some Josie Maran Argan Oil. Feel so luxurious and special and my skin wakes up baby soft. And of course, C.O. Bigelow’s Night Balm on the lips. I would die without this stuff.

And that’s it! I truly believe that adequate sleep, drinking a lot of water, and using these products consistently have truly made an impact on my skin this year. Feels good to take care of yourself, don’t you think?

Spring break dreaming – for mom!

March 4, 2016 / By Courtney / 3 Comments

Heck YEAH. We are in March my friends and that can only mean one thing: it’s officially time to start thinking about spring break. YIPPEE! I’m not sure who is more excited – me or the boys. Ok, probably me because look at these picks! EEK! Here is what is going down in my suitcase this time around. I hope it may help inspire you for spring!

I live in my Ray Ban aviators. I feel like a polarized pair would be so fun.
This book was recommended to me as a great beach read. It seems to have it all: scandal, high society, 1950’s. FUN. (Thanks Amy!)
Why write out your checklist when you can wear it? Pretty much all you need…..
Ok friends, cutest. bikini. ever. It was so time for a new two piece for mom as my J Crew ones were going on about three years old. This one from Boden fits magically. The top is your actual bra size and is structured so well: i.e. your little one will not expose you in the pool. Woohoo! Need a darling one piece? This one is oh so flattering.
My hair in the Florida humidity can only be described one way: wild. This spray helps make a bit of sense of it all.
Eleven months of the year it’s all about this color. Yet spring break month? Loving this deep coral and it pairs so well with navy, which I seem to live in.
Bought these from Old Navy for $23 and they are super comfortable, super cute, and super easy for packing.
AHHHHHHH I SO LOVE THIS NECKLACE! That is all.
Oh my this bag. Why am I so obsessed with bags? Specifically striped bags? I want them all. Like, all the striped bags. This (waterproof!) one arrived at our home and I’ve basically hidden it and when I pull it out for the pool in Florida and M asks if it’s new I will make him think he’s crazy and say that I’ve had it forever and ever.

What do you think? What’s going in your suitcase this month? I’d so love to hear.

Happy packing!
C

Holiday gift guide: C’s wish list!

December 9, 2015 / By Courtney / 3 Comments

Sigh. Last but not least – a girl can dream, am I right? I truly absolutely 100% need nothing. But if we are just playing around, here is what I’d like to find under the tree.

This mask! Totally obsessed. And with sunday night mask night in weekly rotation, well, mine is almost out.
Love love love alex + ani bracelets. And I am an aunt now….just saying….
My measuring cups are sort of a hot mess. These would work perfectly with my new oven!
‘Together with family and friends is always the happiest place to be.‘ I couldn’t agree more. Love this bowl!
Happy socks keep me happy in the winter.
Love the classic look of these pajamas. Bonus that they come in short sleeve (I am HOT at night) and tall!
Hey! A girl can dream…
I’ve been wearing the boys initials for three years now. Time to add my own name.

So fun! I’d love to hear what is on your list? And be sure to check out all the gift guides for plenty of fun and festive ideas!

Ho ho ho,
C

Skin wonder.

October 12, 2015 / By Courtney / 17 Comments

Confession: while I do love certain skin products (Origins and Josie Maran Argan Oil come to mind), I never truly believed deep down they could make a difference. Of course they hydrate and provide SPF and do all sorts of wonderful things, but come on, genes are genes. And a ticking clock is a ticking clock.

Until now.

I was first introduced to Kerstin Florian Correcting Hyaluronic Serum on a seriously indulgent day with my darling cousin at the Langham. Over the top? Completely. But oh so appreciated. Every minute.

The facialist told me I had nice skin but it leaned a little to the dry side. She recommended Correcting Hyaluronic Serum for going on prior to my moisturizer. She said it plumps the skin and the hyaluronic acid attracts some serious moisture. Like, 50 times its weight in water moisture. Basically, its whole goal is to help your moisturizer reach its maximum potential.

Have you ever put yours on and it just doesn’t seem to settle in? Me too. This changed all that.

It changed a lot of things, actually. My skin tone is more even, pores are smaller, my day cream literally melts right in. It’s unbelievable! I’ve had two friends ask if I had botox. Ummmmmm no. But I’ll take it as a compliment? Maybe?

So let’s talk price. $88.00. A total splurge, yes, but a tiny amount goes a long way. Your face and neck will be covered in one little pump. I was told a bottle may last up to six months, putting it at roughly $14/month. Not bad at all. Way cheaper and way less scary than botox. 😉

You can find Correcting Hyaluronic Serum at Nordstroms (like you need a reason to go there), and on Amazon too!

So tell me… do you have a favorite skin care product? I’d love to hear all about it in a comment below!

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