Beauty Review: Locallure Lipsticks*

A few weeks ago, the brand Focallure reached out to me to review some of their products. It’s been a hot minute since I accepted products for review, but recently I’ve been trying to find passion for my hobbies again (there may or may not be a blog post or newsletter coming about this…) and it seemed like perfect opportunity.

Focallure is a brand primarily sold on Amazon—if you’ve ever started browsing for a lip product, you’ve probably run into them. They sent me 4 products in total: two of their metallic liquid lipsticks and two of their moisturizing lip balms. I’ll review the liquid lipsticks first, then the lip balms. Let’s dive in!

Focallure Metallic Liquid Lipsticks

I received the shades Painkiller and Dying Star. Painkiller is a metallic, super dark red. Dying Star is a pale, glittery pink—it has a lot of glitter.

When I first received this shade, Painkiller, I swatched it on Danny’s hand. When I tell you that swatch withstood nearly an entire day and I finally had to scrub it off of him with my Junoco Cleansing Balm, I’m being serious. This liquid lip has lasting power. And even better, it’s not actually as drying as I remember a lot of matte, superstay formulas to be. It’s not a day color for sure—but if you’re looking for a Halloween lip for a specific costume (or you’re maybe just more daring than me), this is a great option. It will withstand a lot of things.

The shade Dying Star is not nearly as dark as Painkiller and while it required some cleansing balm to remove after swatching, it doesn’t feel as nearly longlasting as Painkiller. It’s also a little more day appropriate—although, it is… so glittery. I had glitter everywhere. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but it’s certainly a little inconvenient. I really like this shade and I think it would actually be a great topper for other lipsticks or with a gloss.

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Focallure Lip Balms

I received 2 of Focallures’s lip balms—one is a true balm that appears to be PH color changing (the left) and one is more tinted (left). Unfortunately, I can’t find these specific shades on their storefront, but there are similar varieties.

The true balm is really pretty—I mean, it has inset glitter. The packaging is also very cool; the cap is magnetic, so it makes it a little more sturdy for a purse. I didn’t realize it was color changing at first, but as I swatched it, I noticed how pink my lips looked. It wasn’t bad, but as we all know, those PH color changing products all go the same color of pink—so if you’re not a fan of that pink, it’s probably not for you.

The other balm had a color that reminded me very much of 2016. You know those very gray-toned mauve pinks that were slightly liver-y? It’s like that. It would probably look much better on a different skin tone, but it’s not for me. The formula was very hydrating, but again, it had so much glitter that removing it became an issue and I can’t imagine reapplying would be very fun. I would pass on these more lipstick-style lip balms, but I do like the true balm variety.

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Disclaimer: As denoted by the asterisk (*) in the title of this post, these products were sent to me for free in exchange for review. Posts like these help me keep the lights on here at WBP! If you’d like to learn more about my disclaimer policy, click here.

Beauty Review: No Mo Stache Facial Razor*

Does it feel like it’s been ages since I’ve done a beauty review? It does, because it has been!

For a long time, beauty products were my go-to to feel good. However, I started to get really burnt out. Sometimes, it feels like hobbies are driven by consuming more and more products—beauty gurus have to always have what’s new, trying what’s new, rather than using what they have. It just plain wasn’t sustainable for my life anymore, I just didn’t have room for that many products.

Over the last few years, I’ve been really working to narrow down my skincare routine so it’s easier for me to use and, ultimately, more effective.

One huge piece for me has been, surprise, dermaplaning. You’ve probably seen these videos on TikTok or Instagram, but, per a quick Google, this is the definition of dermaplaning: “Dermaplaning is a skin treatment that uses an exfoliating blade to skim dead skin cells and hair from your face.”

Basically: you use a little facial razor to shave your face. It’s fun to watch, kind of soothing, very ASMR. The benefits are that this can exfoliate your face, as well as help your makeup apply more smoothly. One of my biggest issues is skin texture—and the reality is all of us have skin texture (all beauty gurus use a blurring filter, if not multiple!). But having my make up apply a little more smoothly is a big draw.

I was approached by the brand No Mo-Stache a few weeks ago to try out their compact facial razor. This was a really exciting email to receive, because I’ve seen No Mo-Stache in stores before. Their branding and packaging is so cute. Plus, I’m always down to try something new.

They sent me their folding facial razor, along with their eyebrow and face waxing strips. Full disclosure: I actually can’t use the waxing strips right now since I use Retinol. I’ll share a great insert they sent along that includes some information about what to do before waxing—if you use Retinol, however, you can’t wax, as it can cause burns and a reaction.

I can use the razor though, and good thing, because I have been looking for a non-scrub, physical exfoliation for a while.

I have very textured skin, probably because I’ve never met a drop of water I liked that much. I know scrubs are bad for your skin, but chemical exfoliation is simply not enough for my skin—it doesn’t do much. Dermaplaning is a great, gentle way to physically exfoliate, plus remove any hair on your face that you don’t want.

So how do you dermaplane?

Firstly, you wash your face to remove all make up and built up oil. Dry and apply aloe vera. Then, holding the facial razor at about a 45% angle to your skin, you just…. shave your face.

That’s it. That’s literally it. You’re shaving your face with a tiny straight blade. It’s surprisingly fun! And again: it’s really cathartic to see all that build up being physically removed from your face.

The first time I dermaplaned, my skin felt so smooth afterwards. I did a light second wash with my foaming Cetaphil cleanser, then applied First Aid Beauty’s Repair Cream (I’m working to repair my acid mantle—I don’t want to talk about it). The next day, I put on foundation and was actually surprised at how much of a difference there was. Just much smoother application.

Dermaplaning isn’t a fix to every problem. The hair on your face will grow back, but you don’t want to dermaplane too often. I’ve done it twice now over the course of 4 weeks. It feels really nice, it’s fun, and it’s a simple way to just feel better about your skin.

Here’s that ”before waxing” checklist I promised! Most importantly, you just want to make sure you test your skin first, don’t have too dry of skin, and aren’t using medications that could cause a reaction with the wax.

No Mo Stache is available from Ulta and Target, but you can also purchase from their website here.

Disclaimer: as denoted by the asterisk (*) in this title, I was sent these items free in exchange for review and posting. However, all opinions remain my own. To learn more about my disclosure policy, click here.

I Tried Banish Acne so You Don't Have To*

A few weeks ago, Banish approached me about reviewing their line of acne fighting products. I, of course, said yes. I love trying new skincare products, even if it’s not what I write about everyday. And I don’t know about you, but ever since March, my skin has been absolutely out of control. Stress, masks, the fires in September… it felt like my skin was being attacked every day!

Banish kindly sent me the Banish Starter Kit, plus the All Clear Mint Cleanser. As you might know, I’ve struggled with my skin for most of my life. A few years ago, a combination of going dairy free and using jojoba oil religiously gave me the best skin of my life. However, times change, our bodies changed, and what used to work doesn’t work anymore. Story of my life, am I right?!

Here’s a quick and easy review of the products I received and how I liked them!

The Banish Starter Kit

The Banish Starter kit is one of the best, all-inclusive sets Banish offers. If you’re looking to really rejuvenate your skincare routine, this is the one for you.

Banish focuses primarily on Vitamin C and all natural ingredients to help fight acne, plus reduce the appearance of scars and hyper pigmentation caused by acne.

Here’s what comes in the Starter Kit and what I thought of it:

Banish Oil: this is a vitamin C serum that is intended to help reduce the look of acne scars. I liked this oil, but found that as far as a serum goes, it wasn’t my favorite. It made my skin feel really sticky and grimy. But that being said, I did notice an improvement in my scarring on my chin!

Vitamin C Beauty Elixir: this is a facial mist that gives a boost of Vitamin C and moisture. It’s great for applying throughout the day. I kept this on my desk for days when I felt rundown and in need of a little extra TLC.

The Banisher 2.0: This is a microneedler. I’m not here to tell anyone what to do necessarily, but this is the one product I disliked the most. I don’t believe in microneedling, but mostly just believe that you should leave this to the professionals. I was personally too scared to use this, so I didn’t. However, I know some do love using it! It’s just not for me.

The Pumpkin Enzyme Masque: This was my favorite product. It smells like pumpkin; it makes your skin feel amazing; and it contains AHAs and BHAs that act as natural exfoliators. On the days after I used this mask, my skin definitely felt 100% better and I noticed my redness that I get at the beginning of my cycle was diminished a lot.

Fighter Gel: This gel is a water-based, aloe vera gel that helps calm redness and inflammation, as well as other skin complaints. It smells incredibly mentholated, however, so be careful of that. I did really like this gel! It makes your skin feel very soft and soothed!

Vitamin C Creme: I’m on record as saying Vitamin C all over my face tends to make me break out bad. However, this cream was an exception! It’s 20% vitamin C and is heavy enough for a winter moisturizer. I used it at night and loved how soft it made my skin!

All Clear Mint Cleanser

I love a good cleanser! This cleanser is a gel-based one with chamomile leaf, mint, and vitamin B5—all intended to get your face clean while reducing inflammation. This was really the perfect morning cleanser; really light, but with a smell and feel that is perfect for a wake up call!

Who is Banish best for?

If you’ve had acne most of your life, or cystic acne at any point, you probably have some scarring. I know I do. My chin is a wreck these days thanks to several years of pretty bad cystic acne break outs. Banish is designed to soothe existing break outs and skin conditions, while also fading those scars and areas of hyper pigmentation. If you struggle with any of those issues, Banish is definitely worth a try.

Even better, it’s just nice to be able to get everything in one go: moisturizer, cleanser, etc. It’s nice to have one line up to turn out! Some items are definitely better than others, but overall, I think there is potential for every product to work for somebody who needs it.

Final Thoughts

If you are struggling with your skin’s texture or appearance due to scars, I think this is a line that will work perfect for you. To try Banish, visit their website here. Thank you again to Banish for sending me these products to try!

Disclaimer: As denoted by the asterisk (*) in the title of this post, I received products for free in exchange for a review. However, all opinions remain my own! If you’d like to learn more about my disclosure policy, click here.

Beauty Review: January 2020 Ipsy Bag

Starting these Ipsy bag posts… man, what a challenge. I never really know what to say, but I guess one of the best things I can talk about is how my month was and how this bag made me feel. One thing I really want to emphasize is giving yourself little gifts throughout the month; while you’re building your career, or taking care of your child, or whatever… you deserve a few things for yourself.

And I want those things to be worth it. So month to month, the one thing I look for in every Ipsy bag is value. Is this bag both valuable monetarily and also to my life? Do the products make me feel good? Or do they make me feel blah?

So often, my Ipsy posts have been reflections of how I’m doing that month. Some of my saltiest reviews came when I was not feeling so great.

For a little context: the last few months have been some of the hardest of my life. I’ve struggled a lot, but I find myself doing better and better as time goes on. But December and January were definitely rougher months in the scheme of things—and honestly, November too.

With that being said, lately I’ve needed my self-care items to be even bigger than before. I’ve needed my therapy sessions; I’ve needed my bubble baths; I’ve needed my evenings to be quiet. Sometimes, I don’t get those things. Sometimes, self-care is just going to bed early or making an extra pot of coffee or closing my office door for 5 minutes to silently scream.

Not to give it all away quite so quickly, but this month’s Ipsy definitely felt like a bit of a let down. The last few months definitely have. But this month’s in particular is very disappointing and I’ll hit why on those specific items. Let’s get started, shall we?

You can read my past Ipsy reviews here. If you want to try Ipsy, you can sign up using my referral link here.

1. Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Cleanser, $3.19 value

I love the Glow Recipe, it’s such a great brand, but as I’m trying to repair my skin’s pH barrier, I’ve become more and more picky about cleansers I use. This one has a lot of pure soap ingredients—and it foams in a way I find slightly repulsive, for lack of a better word. The texture is akin to snot. There, I said it. It’s snot-like! It’s a snot-like cleanser and I don’t want to wash my face with it and despite being called “Blueberry Bounce Cleanser,” it smells like a Dollar Store.

I don’t like it! There!

I’m relegating this little sample tube to my travel bin; I think it’s OK for pH (I haven’t noticed any serious issues cropping up), but the weird smell alone is enough to make me avoid it. I give it a solid 3/10 in terms of how much I enjoyed it.

A full size tube is 160 ml and costs $34 (WHEW!). This sample tube is only 15 ml, making it’s value around $3.19. If I was nice, I would have rounded up to $3.20, but… I didn’t.

2. Luxie Fan Brush, $18 (Not Pictured)

I fully forgot to grab this brush while taking photos and didn’t notice until I was editing afterwards and wondering where my 4th item was. Then I remembered, “oh yeah, I got a 4th fan brush.”

You read that correctly: my 4th fan brush.

I have so many fan brushes, I expect to find all my cleanser samples fanning my blush samples in my bathroom any day now. (The blush samples are the kings of all the samples I receive, natch.) I have fan brushes coming out of my eyeballs at this point, which is funny only because no one needs a fan brush. It is the most useless brush. I don’t even wear highlighter anymore! What else is a fan brush used for? That’s right, nothing.

0/10. It is pretty. But… 4 fan brushes, guys. I’ve gotten 4 of them.

3. Urban Juve Lip Balm, $10

I love a lip balm moment, but guys. $10 for a lip balm this big?? For comparison, the Glossier Balm Dot Coms come in a 3 pack for $30, making them $10 a piece. And they have 0.5 fluid oz (which is HUGE!) This little lip balm has… 0.14 fluid ounces. Sorry, but that’s highway robbery. It’s not any different from Burt’s Bees either, it just has hemp in it!

If I’m going to spend $10 on a lip balm, it better be the size of a Moon Pie. I’ll take Glossier’s tubes of lip balm, but they’re on thin ice anyway. $10 for a Burt’s Bees size tube? Girl. 0/10. It’s just minty! It’s not even special!

4. Finding Ferdinand Lipstick in Very Berry, $6

You’ll be shocked to learn that I love this lipstick. Yes, I said it! I love one thing in this bag! And it’s this lipstick. It’s tiny, it’s cute, and it comes in a clear component that literally made me squeal out loud. I like it! What can I say? It’s a nice, bright berry color and perfect for spring. The formula is a little more dry than the average lipstick, which makes it more long lasting than a high shine formula. And at only $6, it’s pretty reasonable for a sample size that you can carry in your purse with ease. I give it an 8/10.

A full size is valued at $30 and the mini is $6. You can buy a set with both for $33 (savings!)

5. REALHER Eyeshadow in Victorious, $3.11 value

So, this shade is apparently in the Conquer from Within palette, but to me, that looks like a completely different color. Mine is a shimmery, pink-brown (I’d describe it as a dusty pink with a gold sheen if I was pressed). That looks like a straight champagne. They describe Victorious in the palette like this: “Metallic light slate. Perfect color to add a touch of highlight to inner corner of eye, or to work over entire lid.”

Ipsy, in comparison, describes it like this: “Rose gold is a universally flattering shade that’s always on-trend—this super pretty, shimmery color will quickly glam up your beauty looks, but it’s versatile enough to wear during day or night.”

Metallic light slate and rose gold are… not the same color whatsoever. So is this the same shade? A different one? With the same name? I don’t know!! Is this an extra that they slapped a random sticker on that they just needed to get rid of? God, I suspect so.

Either way, I did use the cost of that palette to calculate the cost of a single shadow.

Apparently, you can buy this brand in Neiman Marcus. Remember when Neiman Marcus was name dropped in like every song in 2004? What a weird time to be alive that was.

All that being said: I think I’ve received this same shade of eyeshadow about 40 times from Ipsy and I still am not going to wear it. It’s a perfectly fine eyeshadow, but… it’s not new! Ipsy, stop it with the brown-pink eyeshadows! It gets a 5/10: not awful, but I’m not going to wear it, so…

Final Thoughts

The total value of this bag is… $40.30. Womp womp. That’s pretty low. That may be in the running for one of the lowest valued bags I’ve gotten in… quite a while, actually.

If you can’t tell, there were some bummers in this bag. I don’t know why, but I get really annoyed when the cost of the bag is dependent on one item. An $18 brush does not a high value bag make, monetarily or enjoyment wise. I don’t need an $18 fan brush because I’ve already been sent 4 $18 fan brushes! That single brush ups the value of the bag significantly, but the other items are all valued at less than $10—except for the bizarre lip balm, which is so offensive at $10 that I actually find myself getting keyed up and mad.

Did this bag make me feel good? Honestly, not really. It was just sort of another thing, you know? I do love the make up bag—what blogger doesn’t love a bit of marble, huh?—but besides the lipstick, I wasn’t excited to use anything.

Here’s to hoping next month brings me a little bit of joy. I need it, y’all!

Beauty Review: It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream

Should I have started using an eye cream in my 20s?!

I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that I have always kind of thought eye cream (that is, specific moisturizers designed for your eyes) was kind of a scam. The skin around our eyes is different from the rest of our faces, but how useful is it to apply a different cream to our eye areas? Should we be doing it? Does it matter? Does eye cream really make a difference?

One dermatologist says this: “The creams you use on your face are just as helpful as eye cream, regardless of name brand.” Basically, what I get from this is: just use moisturizer on your eyelids and eye area, gently, and it’s all good.

However, another dermatologist in the exact same article says this: “Many regular facial creams or moisturizers may irritate the thin skin.” And another says, “I can’t say [definitively that] eye creams really work — but I can say that certain ingredients work.”

TL;DR: there is conflicting information.

But the main takeaway here to me is that we should be moisturizing around our eyes, even if you aren’t using a specifically formulated eye cream. I realized as I was writing this that if I don’t use eye cream, I rarely apply moisturizer to my eye lids (or too close to my eyes). That was pretty jarring to realize; how much dehydration have my poor eyes experienced because I am not moisturizing them correctly?

We may never know.

The point of all of this is to review the It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream. Yay! I received it as a sample in my Ipsy bag; I paid $3 for a teeny tiny sample. (Ok, it’s actually fairly substantial for looking so small, as you don’t use very much).

Here’s what this eye cream promises:

“Confidence in an Eye Cream features the same hydrating, firming and wrinkle-smoothing benefits as your #1 anti-aging moisturizer*—plus it’s your best eye cream for dark circles!

While the exclusive apricot tint and Drops of Light Technology™ visibly color-correct and brighten, proprietary Anti-Aging Armour Rejuvenating Concentrate™ and other high-performance skin-loving ingredients—including a super ceramide complex, chrysin, licorice root, avocado and squalane—work to hydrate, smooth and refresh. You’ll see powerful results instantly and more dramatic results over time!”

My main takeaways here are that is acts as an anti-aging moisturizer and promises to reduce dark circles.

I’m genetically lucky in that I don’t have dark undereyes; some people naturally get darkness under their eyes, so I cannot necessarily speak to that. However, I do have a large melasma spot under my left eye that developed after I was pregnant. (Pregnancy often causes “pregnancy mask,” aka melasma spots that can worsen if you don’t use SPF. I have a line above my lip and a splotch underneath my eye. They’re fun! By which I mean, they’re not! They’re basically large, irregularly shaped freckles.)

My main concern for my under eye area is handling that melasma; there is not much I can do to make it better, but I don’t want to make it worse. My other concern is keeping the area moisturized and preventing wrinkles. I know that’s incredibly vain, but I really pride myself on my lack of crow’s feet. I’ve stopped squinting at things to prevent them!

(I haven’t really stopped squinting at things. I’m squinting at my computer screen in my non-prescription blue blocker glasses at this moment.)

I have previously really loved the It Cosmetics Confidence line; I love the Confidence in a Cleanser. I even glowingly reviewed it here. However, after doing a lot of work on repairing my pH barrier (learn more about the process I’ve been following for balancing & repairing my skin’s pH barrier here), I’ve come to the terrible conclusion that the thing that is wrecking my skin’s pH barrier is… the Confidence in a Cleanser. I realized this after dropping it from my routine for a month to exclusively use the FAB Daily Cleanser. I reused it a few days ago and my skin was immediately back to where it was before I did all that work!

So, the bad news is: I think the Confidence in a Cleanser is bad for my pH barrier (and potentially other people’s), so I highly recommend being careful if you use it or want to try it.

That has slightly colored my experience with the It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream because I was worried about the eye cream being responsible too. However, I used it throughout my month-long repair process and didn’t have any issues.

Here are a few things I noticed while using this eye cream for a month:

• My undereyes were able to hold concealer better without creasing or getting dry and flaky.

• I noticed my melasma faded slightly. (My husband even said it looked a little lighter, but this may have to do with sun exposure in the winter.)

• Plucking my eyebrows has become a lot easier. (Who knew moisturizing my eye area would make that easier?)

This eye cream includes a few key ingredients that are common in eye creams: collagen, specifically, which is supposed to firm the skin; and ceramides, which are natural lipids that help “reinforce the skin barrier.” The inclusion of ceramides is what makes me feel confident that this eye cream won’t damage your pH barrier. It also includes niacin, which can help even your skin tone, peptides, and licorice root.

All in all, if you’re in the market for an eye cream, I think this one is a strong contender. I really love It Cosmetics; they are one of my favorite brands. However, in terms of eye creams, it’s not the most affordable; it is $38 for 0.5 fluid ounces. That being said, you use such a small amount day-to-day, it will probably last a significant amount of time.

I’m debating repurchasing or trying a different eye cream; if you have suggestions, let me know!

How to Restore Your Skin's pH Balance & Barrier

In the last few years, it felt like I’ve learned more about how to take care of my skin—and yet, it becomes increasingly more complicated.

There are so many methods to good skincare: Korean beauty methods, long 15+ step skincare programs, stripped down programs, cruelty free, all natural, low pH… it can get really, really overwhelming.

But in the last few months, I’ve started to focus on a simplified routine with one main focus: nurturing and taking care of my skin’s pH barrier (sometimes called the acid mantle). If you’d told me 10 years ago that I would be focusing on something like this, I would have probably short circuited. Skincare feels like it should be easy: pick up something in the store that says it will fix your problems, use it, and success! But it’s not quite so easy.

Skincare also doesn’t have to be so hard. Yes, you’ll have to try and remember your chemistry lessons; personally, it’s been 14 years since I even thought about chemistry and while science is important, it’s absolutely not my strong suit. I get overwhelmed easily with information, which is probably why I spend so much of my time making lists and journaling, trying to make sense of all this information.

In this blog post, I want to help you figure out what the pH barrier of your skin really is and how it protects your skin—as well as the signs you’ve damaged it. As I wrote recently, I’ve started to notice some serious effects of damage to my skin’s pH barrier—most likely from years of using stripping, oil free products with too much acid or soap in them—and fixing it has become a huge focus for me as I get older. So let’s talk about your skin’s acid mantle: what is it, why does it matter, and how do you know if you’ve damaged it.

What is the pH level of your skin? What does acid mantle mean?

Naturally, skin’s pH level is around 5.5 (on average), which makes it slightly acidic. When we talk about the acid mantle, this is primarily what is being discussed. From the New York Times, here’s a great summary of what composes the acid mantle of your skin: “The acid mantle is the protective film of natural oils, amino acids and sweat that covers your skin.”

For those who aren’t great at chemistry (you can count me among that crew, although I’m trying!) that means that all of our skin has a natural protective barrier, with its own pH level, that can be relatively easily damaged with products that are either too alkaline or too acidic for our skin. Once your skin’s pH barrier is damaged, it can be a huge pain to get it back to rights—and you can begin to experience some pretty severe signs of damage along the way. Let’s discuss those.

What are the signs of damage to your skin’s pH barrier?

As I mentioned in my review of First Aid Beauty’s Cleanser, there are a few classic signs of a damaged pH barrier: acne, dryness, increased sensitivity, patchy, and flaky skin, as well as your skin feeling tight and dehydrated (while sill being very oily). More and more, talk on skincare forums revolves around your skin’s pH barrier; it’s because the products we all have access to tend to be designed specifically to strip our skin of oils.

As well, a damaged pH barrier can make you more prone to struggling with other skin conditions, like rosacea and eczema. I always know something is up with my skin when I start getting red, blotchy spots across my cheeks. This is my sign to start removing products from my skincare arsenal; no more toner, no more acid, just gentle non-lathering face wash and a good, gentle moisturizer.

What causes damage to your skin’s barrier?

As I said, the average skin pH level is 5.5, slightly acidic. However, most drugstore skincare products are highly alkaline; any soap that foams is alkaline and designed to strip your face of any oil. Your skin needs oil! It needs that layer! However, these products may work for some people who have a slightly higher pH; 5.5 is just an average.

However, let’s take a look at the pH level of other products.

Our skin, on average, is at a 5.5—that’s the pH level of our skin’s acid mantle. That’s about the same level as a cup of coffee or a glass of milk. Now, look at soap: it’s alkaline at a pH of 12. Again, from the New York Times: “Cleansing your skin with anything alkaline interferes with the skin’s ability to repair itself and makes it less elastic.” Our skin grows more alkaline as we age, which means that we need more acidic products to help balance the acid mantle and keep it from being damaged.

One further note: check where baking soda is on this list! Baking soda has a pH of 9, quite alkaline, which is why you should absolutely never put baking soda on your face! So many homemade masks include baking soda. This is also why you should never use toothpaste on your skin to help acne. This is a personal bugbear of mine. Stop putting baking soda on your face! Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

How long does it take to fix this damage?

That depends on how bad the damage is your acid mantle. If you’re noticing signs of damage, including redness that you never had before or worsening acne, it’s time to strip everything back and focus on repairing your skin’s pH barrier. According to Krave Beauty, “This really depends on the severity of the damage and the individual's skin condition. Just like there are people whose wounds heal faster, skin is the same. For healthy skin, it can take 2 weeks and up to a month to repair the barrier function. Once your skin barrier is back on full force, you’ll notice a decrease in redness, skin-sensitivity, inflammation, and dehydration! You will definitely be able to tell when your skin can handle a new product.”

The good news is: it’s not like it will take 6+ months (although if your skin is highly damaged, it might). The bad news is that it won’t be instantaneous. This will be a process that will take a long time.

How do you fix your skin’s pH balance/barrier?

Fixing your skin’s barrier is relatively simple, but requires sticking to a pretty strict routine for a while.

• Strip your skincare down to the basics. For the next month, you’re not going to want to use any acids on your skin, as when your skin barrier is damaged, your skin is more permeable. That means, no exfoliation, no acids, nothing. You’ll be using a face wash (that does not contain soap or alcohol) and a pH balanced moisturizer. You can also use a nourishing facial oil, like jojoba or something that contains a high amount of lipids and cholesterol. That’s it. No masks. Nothing else.

• Focus on lifestyle changes. Reducing stress, getting more sleep, and drinking more water have all been shown to also effect our skin’s barrier. While this is primarily anecdotal, and there isn’t a ton of evidence to it, I do think it’s worth changing any of these aspects to help your skin. You never know!

• Use SPF. Damage to your skin barrier, to repeat it, makes your skin more permeable. That means you’re at risk of increased sun damage. So wear SPF like your life depends on it; if you’re going to be outside for any amount of time, make sure to employ physical barriers as well, such as long sleeves and hats.

• Use gentle products. In the next section, I’ll make a few recommendations that also won’t break the bank.

• Be careful with make up products. I wear foundation and powder every day and I’ve made sure these are good for my skin’s pH barrier. I have been avoiding any unnecessary make up items, such as contour, eye shadow, etc. to avoid having to use anything besides oil and my face wash to remove them.

Product recommendations

• Jojoba oil: Jojoba oil has a high content of wax esters, making is suitable to help repair the skin barrier. It’s anti-inflammatory and good for all skin types. Make sure you buy pure jojoba oil with nothing else added. I use Leven Rose Jojoba Oil.

• Dermalogica UltraCalming Barrier Repair: This “velvety moisturizer helps fortify sensitized skin with a damaged barrier” is perfect to use underneath foundation, as it can double as a primer. I would add a dollop of SPF as well.

• First Aid Beauty Cleanser: This cleanser is a pure, unscented basic that doesn’t lather and will help restore your skin’s barrier.

• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: This is the OG of repairing your skin barrier: it’s ultra hydrating and very gentle, free of any ingredients that might continue to wear down your skin’s barrier. Also, it’s super affordable.

Beauty Review: First Aid Beauty Cleanser with FAB Antioxidant Booster

When it comes to cleanser, what is something you always look for?

My entire life, I feel like I’ve bounced between a lot of different cleansers, but my favorites always have one thing in common: they’re more of a cream cleanser than a soap cleanser. When it comes to a single shared characteristic of my favorites, that’s about as specific as I can be.

My deciding factor is, of course, how clean I feel like it gets my face. Some cleansers clean, but don’t feel like they do much beyond that; I would say the Body Shop’s Tea Tree Cleanser (which I like!) does that. I’ve recently phased out using it because at the end of the day, it just felt like general soap. Nothing special. I’ve instead been exclusively using the It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser, which is more of a cream consistency and highly moisturizing.

In my most recently Ipsy bag, I added on 3 add-ons. These are products you can add to your Ipsy shipment; they offer $3 deluxe samples, $6 super deluxe samples, ad $12 full size samples. I usually stick to the $3 tier and on Black Friday, they had a buy-2-get-1-free deal. Thus, I got the It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream sample, a new chapstick, and the Ipsy Skincare Party Pouch. The Skincare Party Pouch was a single velvet sack, intended to be a stocking stuffer. I wasn’t sure at first if it would have multiple small samples—but learned via reviews that it would have one single sample. I was a little nervous because many reviews said the sample was tiny and not worth it.

However, when I unboxed it on Instagram, I expressed how excited I was by what I received! I received a deluxe sample of the First Aid Beauty Cleanser with FAB Antioxidant Boost; this is their basic, cream cleanser.

A full-size tube has 5 ounces and costs $21. The sample size has 1 fluid ounce. That puts the value of this sample size at about $4.20—considering I bought it for $3 and that included a fairly nice velvet bag, that’s a pretty good deal to me. As well, a 5 fluid ounce tube is quite large and will last a while. I would estimate a 1 ounce tube will last me anywhere from 2-4 weeks.

Here’s what this cleanser promises:

“A fragrance-free, gentle cleanser that effectively removes makeup, dirt and grime, leaving skin soft and supple. The whipped texture transforms into a sumptuous cream when blended with water.

Infused with a powerful Botanical Antioxidant blend, it helps safeguard skin against environmental aggressors while also calming irritated skin. This non-stripping, pH-balanced formula works to maintain skin’s natural acidity and helps reduce flare ups, never leaving skin feeling tight or dry.”

My skin lately has been very dry, very sensitive, and very red. I suspect that I’ve damaged the pH barrier of my skin. (If you’re curious about what the hell I’m talking about, here’s a good write up about your skin’s pH barrier!) The tell-tale sign of a damaged pH barrier is inflammation of any kind: that means redness (got it), flakiness (got it), dryness (got it), and acne flares (got it). That’s right, kids; as of this moment, I’m batting 4-out-of-4. Just call me the Babe Ruth of Bad Skin!

But in all seriousness, I’d been looking at ways to repair my pH barrier and this cleanser came up a few times. So when I saw it in the Party Pouch, it was like a divine intervention. “Here,” the skin gods said, “take it. You need it, hunnie.”

Thanks, Skincare Gods!

So, what do I think of this cleanser?

First of all, I like that it’s technically fragrance free, in that it doesn’t have any added fragrance. As much as I love the it Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser (love the cleanser, but typing this name more than once hurts), I suspect that the fragrance hasn’t been doing much for my skin. However, just because it doesn’t have added fragrance, doesn’t mean it doesn’t smell; like most FAB products that are fragrance free, I feel like the faintly chemical hospital smell of it is almost a turn off. I would prefer even a naturally scent (can we get an essential oil?) could be added without a detrimental effect, but what do I know?

Secondly, I do really love it. I’ve noticed a slight improvement in my skin (in combination with upping my hyaluronic acid use) in the week I’ve been using it. Most of all, I’m looking for an improvement in my skins flakiness and that has definitely improved in the last week.

Who do I recommend this cleanser for?

I think if you’re dealing with problematic skin related to the weather, this would be a great cleanser to test out to see if it helps. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, it’s also a great option. At only $21 for a tube (compare to $30+ for It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser), it’s a fairly affordable option. One of my other favorite cleansers is the Loreal Pure Clay Foaming Cleanser, which is creamy and clay-based; it might be another good option for acne-prone skin and is only $9. It reminds me a lot of this cleanser in some ways!

In short: I’m really glad I bought the Party Pouch; I will probably throw down $21 for this cleanser in full-size; and I think I’ve broken my pH barrier of my skin but this might be the magic key I need to fix it.

My Favorite Products of 2019

It’s been a minute since I’ve written about beauty products, or products in general. In terms of my blog, I’ve been focusing more on personal and professional development—that’s just where my head is right now!

But that being said: we all deserve to take care of ourselves. We can’t be 100% business, goal-focused, super productive all the time. That’s unsustainable. And besides, it’s fun to take a break and talk about products that make it easier for us to live our lives with minimal hassle and maximum results. (I’m all about that life.)

And ultimately, my goal with my blog is to always push the point that you can be successful at whatever it is you choose (your job, or parenthood, or hitting that personal goal) while also taking time to pamper yourself and indulge in the things you love.

2019 was a big year for me. As Kylie Jenner so famously said, “I feel like this year is really about, just the year of realizing stuff.”

I’ve realized so much stuff.

But in all seriousness: 2019 was a big year for a lot of very good and bad reasons. I feel like I’m taking more steps towards being a better person than I was at the end of 2018, that’s for sure. I’m a lot less angry and scared this year than I was last year. More than that, I feel comfortable where I am professionally for the first time in a long time and I’ve learned how to take better care of myself.

When it comes to the products that really improved my life in 2019, I think of a few things: things that made me happy, that gave me more time, or just worked really, really well. In a year where so much was happening, especially in the 2nd half, some days I just needed things that made me feel really, really good. So, here are my top 5 products (mostly beauty-related) for 2019.

1. Apothehair by Scapes

I received a sample of Apothehair by Scapes in my Birchbox. As of right now, you can only buy it from Birchbox—which is what I did. It was fairly expensive, but you don’t use much of it at a time. It is an herbal leave-in conditioner that I highly recommend if you have dry, damaged hair. I always let my hair air dry, which can give me some flyaways… but I like that Apothehair helps calm those down, while also making my hair so dang shiny.

I got really into hair care products this year. I started keeping regular hair appointments for the first time in years (shout out to my stylist, Lindy); even though I don’t necessarily need a trim every 4-6 weeks, I like to go anyway. Sometimes, I get a scalp treatment. But mostly, I’ve realized that taking good care of my hair is one way I can take better care myself. That’s why I like Apothehair; it’s one product that helps me really feel like I’m taking care of my hair every single day without fail. It smells good. It feels good. It makes my hair look good. Honestly, it doesn’t get much better.

2. First Aid Beauty Oat & Cannabis Seed Oil

I got a (fairly large) sample of this in my most recent Ipsy bag and let me tell you: if you’re looking for a good oil to finish your skincare routine with, let me recommend this one. It’s a combination of oat-based oil and cannabis seed oil. You don’t need many drops and you can add it to your moisturizer or apply it afterwards to seal the skin.

Throughout November and December, I’ve been struggling hard with my nose being dry. I mean the skin on my nose. And around my nose. It looks awful. The skin was scaly and peeling and just kind of nasty looking. My nose is usually incredibly oily, but I actually stopped using powder because my nose was so dry. I started religiously applying the FAC oil in the morning and evening (sometimes twice in an evening, just for good measure) and it cleared up in a few days. All that hemming and hawing only for it to go away, and improve, over a few days. Sometimes, I surprise myself.

I fully plan to buy a full size of this oil once the new year starts (even though I’ll be on a mild spending ban to start hardcore saving for taxes next year) because I’m not sure I can live without it at this point.

3. It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser

I reviewed this cleanser in November and I’m not sure I have much else to say about it except that: it continues to be my favorite cleanser of the year; I still love the smell of it; and I love how moisturizing it is, especially with the dry winter air.

4. My Diffuser

I have never been much into essential oils; I don’t think they do even 10% of what some people claim and I think the consumption of them is incredibly dangerous and misguided. That being said: essential oils smell very good and I like when my house smells good. I resisted essential oils in diffusers for so long for everything I just listed, but let me tell you: my life improved dramatically when I just started using them for smell alone! This is the diffuser I bought at the beginning of the summer; I ended up buying a second one for my bedroom. I like that it came with a set of basic essential oils; however, it was about $10 cheaper when I bought both of mine, so I don’t know what to think about that!

My favorite oils to diffuser are bergamot anything; jasmine + eucalyptus; and tea tree and eucalyptus. I do find some scents help me feel better or more energized, but I think that’s just because I particularly like them—not because they hold any real medicinal properties.

5. Aveda Shampure Thermal Dry Conditioner

My hair stylist recommended this on my very first visit and I bought it right then and there. And I love it. The link above is to a similar product; I can’t find the one I actually use on the Aveda website, but you can read a blog post about it here. It is a dry conditioner that you can use on your hair when its dry to add a bit more moisture and shine, as well as to provide a small amount of heat protection (if you are curling your hair or anything). It also smells amazing. (The entire Shampure line from Aveda smells fantastic!) I like using it to refresh my hair throughout the day, or if my scalp is being particularly problematic; I spray, brush, and let dry. My hair is shinier and softer afterwards, which is always a plus.

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There you have it! My favorite products of 2019. Do you have anything you’re particularly loving from the last year? That you recently discovered? That changed your life? Tell me about it!