Category: Beauty

First Aid Beauty Review

Red Rose & Honey1 Comment

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As someone who has battled sensitive skin and blemishes for as long as I can remember, I have come to really value a good skincare routine. It is super important to me that I find products that keep my skin looking and feeling its best. Whenever possible I also try to opt for “cleaner” and “safer” ingredients. Three of my favorite tried and true skincare brands are First Aid Beauty, Beautycounter and Origins. I have re-purchased products from these brands repeatedly over the last four years.

In today’s post I am reviewing all of the FAB products I have tried over the years. I tend to call this brand “the plain Jane,” but for good reason! FAB products are made with sensitive skin in mind, so the ingredients are extra gentle; just what I like. The company is transparent about its ingredients too. FAB has over 1,300 ingredients on its “no-no” list, is cruelty free, dermatologist tested and always free from artificial fragrance (read more here). Many of the FAB products also earn the “clean at Sephora” label. Some products are great options for eczema and redness too. If you’re looking for gentle, hydrating and effective products, keep reading. You can still get 30% off your order and free shipping as part of their Cyber Monday sale with code Cyber30.

Pure Skin Face Cleanser: This cleanser is one of my most repurchased skincare products ever. It is gentle, fragrance free and takes off the majority of my makeup. I first started using this cleanser about 4 years ago when I was looking for a good cleanser to pair with my Clarisonic. Even without a cleansing brush it works up to a good lather and leaves my face feeling clean, but not tight or dry.

Ultra Repair Cream: This moisturizer has a light, whipped consistency and it really packs a punch in the hydration department. It can be used from head to toe, which initially made me skeptical of putting on my face, but it is an excellent facial moisturizer. Depending on the season/weather and the other products I am using, I can use this both morning and night for my moisturizer. Its great for soothing dry, chapped or irritated skin and is also a great option to have on hand as a nighttime moisturizer.

Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum: This serum is super hydrating thanks to hyaluronic acid and a few other super star ingredients. It is also non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) which I perfect for me because I have dry, blemish prone skin. It can be a challenge to find products that are very hydrating yet don’t cause breakouts. I can use this product all year-round, but I especially love it in the winter months.

Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer: This is a great daytime moisturizer or if you are looking for something lighter than the Ultra Repair Cream. This moisturizer is hydrating and non-comedogenic; another great option for dry breakout prone skin. I often use this during warmer and more humid months.

Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream: I was drawn to this night cream because it’s non-comedogenic and claims to combat signs of aging. It does its job as a hydrating cream, but I can’t say this particular product wowed me or actually combated aging. Although I have purchased it more than once, this would not be the first FAB product I recommend.

FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum: In the “cleaner beauty” world, retinol has a bad reputation, but if you do some research you’ll also find that retinol is a often hailed as a must-have to combat fine lines and wrinkles. I was prescribed retinol by dermatologists as a teen to fight breakouts, but it was way to harsh on my skin. Since I love FAB so much and know their products are gentle, I gave this serum a try. I tried incorporating it 1 day per week for a few weeks, but this product was still too much for my skin.

FAB Skin Lab Resurfacing Liquid with 10% AHA: This product is similar to a serum and is one of my FAB favorites. It’s gentle enough that I can use it every night, but I may rotate it with another product depending on what else I am using. After using this for a weeks I definitely felt that my skin was brighter, smoother and more even toned. It helped to fade dark spots left behind from pimples and my breakouts cleared faster too.

FAB Pharma White Clay Acne Treatment Pads with 2% Salicylic Acid: I don’t use these pads regularly, but I have used these to clear stubborn breakouts when my skin has been in a funk. I use them in place of a toner and have found them to be effective, yet gentle on clearing up my skin. I definitely recommend these if you’re struggling with breakouts. Note: The last time I purchased these the packaging was different. I am hopeful that the ingredients are still the same. Update 5/5/21: FAB confirmed on an Instagram post that these are the same formula as the original. Only the packing was updated.

Skin Rescue Daily Face Cream: This is a great oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer. It’s soothing and hydrating too. If you’re breakout prone or just looking for a something light weight, this is a great option.

Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer: This moisturizer helps to “blur the appearance of pores and imperfections” gives your skin the prettiest glow. It can be worn alone or under you makeup as primer and has a light coconut scent. I love the look and feel of this product on my skin, but each time I’ve tried it, I felt that it lead to a breakout. Don’t rule this one out due to my finicky skin though, it’s definitely still worth a try.

Ultra Repair Oatmeal Mask: This mask is great for soothing and nourishing dehydrated skin. I love to use this when my skin is feeling dry and/or irritated. I have purchased it multiple times too.

10 Day Trial Kit: FAB always has great kits, but I especially love this small kit for travel. It lets me bring all my basics without having to bring my full size bottles. It’s also a less expensive option if you want to try a bunch of the products I’ve included in this post.

Health and Wellness Tips

Red Rose & Honey1 Comment

Hi friends! Today I am talking about health, wellness and a few ways I am incorporating both into my lifestyle again. I have put off getting back on the fitness wagon for way too long. Before getting married, I had a lot of self-discipline when it came to making time for fitness. I never thought there would be a time when fitness was not a part of my regular routine, but a wedding, full home renovation, a puppy and a few years later, here I am. In this post, I am sharing what I plan to focus on to get back into the swing of things.

Please keep in mind, I am not a fitness or health professional. This blog post should not be used in place of professional fitness or medical advice. Always consult with your doctor.

Annual Physical Exam: This is something I can already check-off my list. It had been ages since I had a physical and basic blood work, so I decided it was time. I found a great doctor’s office in my area and a new general physician. I am happy to report all checks out a-okay and now I feel even better having a doctor’s office I really like nearby. Sometimes getting yourself to schedule a doctor appointment, but once it’s done and over with, it is well worth the time and effort.

Drink More Water: Unoriginal, right? Unfortunately, this is something I have struggled with for as long as I can remember. A few things that I have incorporated into my day to help bump-up my water intake are 1) a great water bottle (like this one); 2) drink water when I wake-up and before bed and; 3) drink a glass of water before a second cup of coffee or wine in the evening. For me, the water bottle I have makes all of the difference. I realized I am pretty particular about the opening or spout/straw. This water bottle (click here) has been my favorite. It’s a manageable size, the top unscrews and I love the hourly reminder lines. The only downside is that since it is made of glass, it’s not that practical to carry with me while running errands because its a bit heavy.

Vitamins: I first discovered Olly vitamins and supplements about 2.5 years ago. What drew me to Olly was that the ingredients are limited and simple. My favorite and continually re-purchased vitamins are Flawless Complexion, Active Immunity, Immunity Sleep and the ProbioticPrebiotic. Although I am not sure if gummy vitamins are the best option, I find that I always remember to take these.

Flawless Complexion was one of the first Olly products I tried. It does not contain biotin, which I believe causes my skin to breakout. Along with a good skincare routine, I feel that these vitamins help keep breakouts at bay.

Active Immunity and Immunity Sleep: I started taking these vitamins (not at the same time) last fall after battling a bad cold. I spend a lot of time in the city and on public transportation, so I need my immune system to be strong. I feel like these have definitely given me a needed boost.

Probiotic Preboitic: After our trip to Italy last year, my stomach was all out of sorts. I know digestive changes are common when traveling, but I was not feeling myself at all and could not seem to shake it. These vitamins helped me get back on track.

Men’s Multi: My husband has been taking these for at least a year and has been happy with them. These vitamins are now part of his morning routine.

Walking: At the start of the COVID quarantine I decided to pull the trigger and get a Fitbit. I was on the fence for a while mostly because I did not love the look of it. It seemed bulky and I also didn’t see myself wearing it to work. Once the quarantine went into effect, I figured there was no better time to try it out. I went with rose gold and pink Versa 2 because I though it was pretty and would matched some of rose gold bracelets I wear. When I first put it on, I felt like it was gigantic {and it kind of is}, but after a few days I got use to it. The rubber band is comfortable and I like that I can eventually switch it out for other colors/styles. The Fitbit vibrates every hour to remind me to get moving. Another feature I have liked is the battery life. Mine has lasted a few days at a time. It also changes quickly. My Fitbit has definitely made me more aware of how little I was walking. I can’t wait for warmer weather to keep my steps up! My dog loves going for walks; so much so that we have to spell out w-a-l-k when we’re not actually taking him for one. My new Fitbit is definitely going to benefit Henry too!

SPF: I have been a pretty avid SPF user since high school, but I can’t say I am consistent all year-round. I have been trying to make a better effort to apply SPF daily to my face, under my makeup. Years ago a dermatologist recommended Elta MD SPF. It’s light-weight and a good option for break-out prone skin. During the recent Sephora sale, I purchased a translucent powder SPF that can be applied over makeup. There are a few different brands, but I went with a SuperGoop! product that is labeled “Clean at Sephora.”I think this will be handy to keep in my bag or at my desk {when normal work-life resumes}.

Healthy Snacks: Over the last few months I have found myself reaching for granola bars and other pre-packaged snacks often. I recently made a conscious effort to choose fruits and veggies instead. In my area, I think Costco is the best place to buy fruit. The price and quality are the best, so I have been stocking up on blackberries and raspberries – my favs!

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How to: Beat the Sunday Scaries

Red Rose & Honey

Hi friends! Anyone else suffer from the occasional or regular Sunday Scaries? I definitely do, so today I am sharing 5 ways I try to beat them and take back my Sundays. It’s not always easy, but these tips definitely help me out.

  1. Wake up early
  2. Get dressed
  3. Do something active
  4. Make a reasonable to do list and get it done early
  5. Pick out work outfits

Waking up early may seem a little crazy for the weekend, but I think getting off to a late start on Sundays, makes the Sunday Scaries worse {at least for me}. During the week I wakeup at 5am, so any later than that is considered “sleeping-in” for me. On Saturday and Sunday I usually shoot to be up by 7/7:30am. That gives me enough time to enjoy my morning coffee before tackling the day. When I wake up later than about 7:30am on Sundays, the rest of my day usually feels rushed. In my book, there is nothing worse then realizing it’s 6pm on Sunday and feeling as if you didn’t enjoy the day.

* I am a sucker for staying in my PJs or comfy clothes on Sundays, but I think this makes it harder to be productive. Although I may not put jeans on if I am staying home, I try to put on a cute comfy outfit, so I don’t feel super lazy in my PJs. I just picked up this really cute sweat outfit from Target. The material so super soft on the inside. This outfit definitely makes me feel more put together, yet cozy. I have a small in the top and x-small in the bottoms {probably could have gone with small bottoms, but I didn’t want them to be really baggy}.

When I lived with my parents after college I was an avid exerciser, but I have definitely fallen off that wagon. These days I get my physical activity in by walking our dog Henry. We have recently taken some steps to help Henry become a better leash walker. He has improved a lot over the last month which has made me happy. We can finally enjoy walks together and I love it, especially with this gorgeous fall weather we’ve been having. On the weekends I usually aim to walk 1.5 – 2 {slow} miles with Henry. My husband and I love to admire the other homes in our neighborhood on our walks too.

Since I am going to school for my masters degree and have a long commute to work during the week, I really need time on the weekends to get my to-do lists done. My to-dos are always a combo of errands, cleaning, cooking and homework. It honestly can be difficult to fit it all into two days, so I try to make sure my list is realistic. If my list is too long and I don’t accomplish it all then I will feel as if I did not do enough. Something else I have been working on is to complete my most dreaded to-do early in the day. When I leave these for last I definitely feel like I am ending the day on a negative note.

My last tip to beat the Sunday Scaries is to pick out at least your Monday work outfit and get your lunch {or snacks} packed. Scrambling to pick out an outfit on Monday morning isn’t a fun way to start the work week. Taking a few minutes on Sunday to help me feel more prepared for Monday always helps to cut out unnecessary work week stress.

What are your tips for fighting the Sunday scaries? Let me know in the comments below!