let's talk skincare with clarins

if you know me well, you know i'm a bit of a skincare junkie. 

i wash my face morning and night, and i have a diligent skincare regimen:

cleanser, toner, moisturizer, eye cream, (spot creams when applicable) and a mask or 

exfoliating wash often thrown into the mix. i love going to bed with my skin feeling

soft, clean and well hydrated. it can be difficult to achieve that 'oh so clean' feeling, however -

i've tried countless washes, lotions and other products claiming to perfect your skin.

for the past three weeks, i've had the pleasure of using the newly formulated

clarins multi-active day and nighttime duo. these moisturizers target fine lines 

and boost skin's radiance. plant extracts, specifically myrothamnus and organic

 california poppy, help negate the effects daily stress has on the skin.

there's nothing worse than dull, dry skin! #amiright

^^^ clarins multi-active nuit and clarins multi-active jour -

the night cream is available for normal to combination skin,

or normal to dry skin (combination skin for this girl) ^^^

photos by elizabeth kathryn photography

i love the subtle, refreshing scent of both the day and night cream.

my skin feels soft, hydrated, and ready for spring - dramatic changes

in weather often cause my skin to dry out (and subsequently to break out!). 

however, it feels smooth, evenly toned, and refreshed. this was my first experience

with clarins, other than the occasional sample in an event goodie bag. 

although both the day and night cream are higher end, in terms of pricing,

i thoroughly enjoyed both products. i plan to purchase the night cream

soon, as my jar is just about empty! 

have you tried clarins before? which products are your favorite?

let me know in the comments below! 

xoxo.

**this is a sponsored post. i was graciously gifted the clarins

day and nighttime creams. all opinions are my own!

exposed skin care!

^^^ products pictured above: clear pore serum, acne treatment serum, 

moisture complex, clearing tonic, facial cleanser and clarifying mask ^^^

exposed skincare is "a revolutionary skin care that treats acne, prevents

new breakouts, and helps return your skin to its natural, healthy balance."

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founded in seattle, washington in 2002, 

exposed skin care is a product line designed to treat acne

and improve skin's clarity in just 30 days!

exposed products uniquely target acne by combining benzoyl peroxide and 

salicylic acid with green tea, licorice root and passion flower.

i began using my exposed skin care regimen over the weekend

and cannot wait to see the results! 

i have combination skin (dry + oily) that is prone

to breakouts, even as an adult.

i am incredibly embarrassed to suffer from adult acne, 

and am constantly looking for new products to 'cure'

and improve my skin.

when offered a trial kit by exposed skin care, 

i immediately responded with, 'yes, yes!' i am eager

to see how the line works and will share my experience here with you.

to sign up for your own exposed skin care kit (plus $25 off!),

visit their website, here.

xoxo.

my (secret) beauty weapons

^^^ introducing the secret beauty weapons ^^^

SEVEN salon seal lotion

with the motto 'the definition of style is you' in bold writing on the side of the container, 

who wouldn't want to try every hair product made by SEVEN? i recently began using the seal lotion to prep my hair for anything. simply spray on towel-dried hair, and my hair is clean, prepped and ready for hot tools, additional products, and whatever else my day has to offer (which often includes dirty toddler hands and hair brushes all over my head).

LANAKIN

an all natural formula for longer, fuller lashes is now available. i was recently offered a free trial of LANAKIN; it has only been seven days since i began taking LANAKIN, and you guys, i promise i have already noticed a difference! my lashes are seemingly fuller than when i started. simply take two capsules each day, and within two weeks, improved lashes can be yours! i cannot wait to update you when my trial is complete. 

LANAKIN is one of the first all-natural supplements with no side effects! in addition, LANAKIN will not only provide you with fuller lashes, but improved hair, skin and nails. an all-natural, all-enhancing beauty product? sign me up! 

bare minerals BARESKIN pure brightening foundation

i am a loyal bare minerals user. my face makeup collection consists entirely of bare minerals products. from my primer to the foundation and finishing products, i love bare minerals. the BARESKIN brightening foundation goes on easily and feels incredibly light. i cannot recommend it enough. 

origins drink up mask

i recently purchased this ten minute mask by origins, and although i have only used it a handful of times, my skin is already loving it. it lacks paragons, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic color or fragrance, and animal ingredients. 

aquaphor healing ointment

this is my new favorite lip balm. it is no secret that i love to wear lipstick, but some can be incredibly drying. lipstick + seattle's cold, dry weather cause my lips to crave moisture. i coat them with aquaphor at night and wake up with my lips feeling incredibly hydrated (i also apply aquaphor to my especially dry patches on my face). 

ARDELL false lashes

i know, i know, i am a false lashes addict. ardell is my favorite brand of falsies; they are affordable, easy to find, easy to apply, and stay on all day. with a bit of practice, and adhesive that dries clear, ardell lashes are the perfect way to instantly add glam to your eyes. 

what are some of your favorite products as of late?

let me know in the comments below! 

xoxo.

** portions of this post were sponsored. however, all opinions 

are my own, and i am sharing about these products

because i truly like and use them! 

moving away from microbeads

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microbeads are tiny plastic-like particles found in many facial scrubs 

and exfoliating face washes;

microbeads are an excellent way to clean the skin, 

remove dead skin cells, and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. 

although microbeads are superior to rough pumice, 

research has shown that microbeads, too, 

can be harsh on the skin.

in addition, when washing off the scrub or wash containing 

microbeads, the plastics they are made of

increase environmental pollutants. 

this article discusses home remedies and alternatives

to potentially harsh microbeads.

ground coffee, baking soda, and brown sugar

are environmentally safe substitutes to microbeads.

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thank you for sharing this article with me, kendra!

as a skin care fiend, i cannot wait to test out

the above brown sugar scrub.

something that is good for my skin, smells delicious,

and safe for the environment? yes, please.

xoxo.

revised: skin care routine

^^^ my newly revised skin care routine ^^^

morning:

step one: wash face with cerave hydrating cleanser, found here

step two: apply make a difference plus+ rejuvenating cream, available here

step three: apply makeup

previously, i would also use toner, the occasional face mask,

spot treatment, etc.

evening:

step one: remove makeup with simple cleansing wipes, found here

step two: wash face with cerave hydrating cleanser, found here

step three: apply cerave pm facial lotion, available here

i am a skin care addict. 

i love to wash and care for my skin, 

and strive to use products that are healthy, natural,

and will enhance my complexion. 

for the past few weeks, my skin has been horrible - 

itchy, red, inflamed, dry and painful.

i had to eliminate my toner, masks and other 

treatments i previously enjoyed using on my skin.

my doctor said "only the basics" when it comes to caring 

for my skin right now - at least until the inflammation subsides. 

do you have any products, treatments, or overall tricks

that are good for particularly sensitive skin?

if so, i am all ears!

xoxo.

bella fiore fall soiree

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seattle bloggers and friends:

tonight, wednesday, october 15th,

you should attend the bella fiore fall soiree, 

featuring kari gran skin care!

the event will be held at 1629 queen anne avenue north,

suite number 103,

seattle, 98109.

join us for treats, wine, and to learn about elegant, natural, and organic skin care 

this evening from 5:30-8:30pm.

street parking is available, but space for the event is limited.

rsvp here at your earliest convenience.

hope to see you there!

xoxo.