I am a believer that Spring cleaning shouldn't be restricted to your closet. Spring is a great time to start fresh and really clean out your life. This applies to our beauty routines as well! Between hairspray, smoothing serums, and dry shampoo- I know my scalp could use some extra help this Spring! And after my last experience, I jumped at the opportunity to test out another Hask hair care collection!
I've been using a charcoal face wash for months now, but never even thought about the benefits this superstar ingredient could bring to my hair. Charcoal works like a magnet to remove impurities and leave you squeaky clean! It worked for my face, so I couldn't wait to see what it did with my hair. Before getting started with the line, I had a few concerns. First- was it going to smell good? I've always been concerned with how my hair products smell, and this really intrigued me. Second- would it impact the color of my hair? While I'm not blonde, my hair does get lighter over the summer and I didn't want to start seeing (more) gray hair thanks to my shampoo.
After my first use, my concerns were addressed. In addition to the charcoal, there are lemon and grapefruit oils in the shampoo. They leave my hair smelling WONDERFUL. I seriously want to get a whiff of my hair all day after my shower! For my second concern, Hask was one step ahead of me. The bottle is labeled safe for use with all hair colors and types, and gentle enough to be used every day. I did not even see the slightest discoloration after use and haven't noticed it since! All I notice is the clean and beautiful hair this line has helped me to have.
The entire line consists of shampoo, conditioner, and a purifying deep-conditioner. As I mentioned, you can use it every day without experiencing the unnecessary dryness associated with other purifying remedies. My hair feels light, clean, and moisturized. Want to know something that makes this even better? It's available for less than $6 per bottle!! It's a winner in my book! Interested in getting some for yourself? Check out their website!
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Hask Hair Care to review honestly. As always, all opinions and words are my own. I benefit in no way if you purchase this product. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder!
Is it just me or has the term "self-care" become a buzz word lately? Every social media platform I use is flooded with ways to do this seemingly difficult task lately. Is there a secret key or series of steps to follow to figure it out? I'm not sure. I certainly don't have that! But I agree wholeheartedly that self-care is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and love that there are so many ways to accomplish it!
One of my favorite ways to take care of myself is an at home spa day or quick pamper session. My schedule changes on a daily basis, so sometimes I only have time for a quick face mask while other times allow for a long soak in a bubble bath. No matter the length, I always walk away from my pampering feeling refreshed and lighter. Due to this habit of mine, I love to try out new treatments and products. After my last experience with Valentia (read more here), I couldn't wait to try this detox mask!
For those of you who haven't heard about this great brand- prepare to be impressed. They use natural ingredients paired with effective science to address skin problems all over the spectrum. In addition to being natural, Valentia's products are also fee of parabens, toxins, and harsh chemicals found in other products. On top of that- this mask is vegan and cruelty-free. It seriously fits all of the criteria I look for in my skin care products. Hello, beautiful!
This detoxifying mask has to be the best scented clay mask that I've ever used. It had a light botanical smell as opposed to the earthy, well, muddy smells most masks have. But don't let the pleasant smell fool you. It packs a serious detoxifying punch! After applying a thin layer to your face, allow it to work its magic for 15-20 minutes. The mask stiffens up and lets you know when it's dry! The ingredients have natural fibers that will provide extra cleansing and exfoliation as you remove the mask. Simply massage in circles as you was it off!
After use, my skin is soft and clean. As with most masks designed to extract impurities, this did cause a few pimples after use. Don't fret- this means that the mask did its job to remove the junk lodged deep in my pores. Just don't use it too close to an important event if your skin is similar to mine! This product was a home run for me and I can't wait to continue to use it during future pampering sessions! If you want more of this great brand- check out their shop, Instagram, and Facebook!
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Valentia to review honestly. As always, all opinions and words are my own. I benefit in no way if you purchase this product. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder!
Hey y'all! Sorry I've been a bad blogger lately- work has been ridiculous and I'm barely keeping my head afloat. I had to break my silence to share a review of an AMAZING new product I was introduced to: WHEN face masks! This wasn't my first experience with sheet face masks, but was definitely my favorite one that I've used so far.
WHEN uses all natural, gentle ingredients to create a comfortable bio-cellulose sheet mask. The mask is derived from coconuts- how cool is that?! (I'm definitely glad I got over my hatred of coconuts recently or I would've missed out!) These masks are soaked in rich serums and can be found in bright, convenient single mask packs. WHEN has a few different types of masks to chose from that produce different results depending on your individual needs. I selected the 10:00PM and the Travelmate masks. These two masks in particular are designed to deliver serious hydration to your skin and keep you looking rejuvenated. They worked WONDERS for me!
My favorite part of my experience with these masks was the actual mask. The holes are arranged in a comfortable way and allow the mask to lay flat on your skin. With other sheet masks I've used in the past, the holes weren't in the right places and didn't allow for comfortable wear. I really appreciated how cozy the masks felt. The mask made contact with my skin in all the necessary spots- even around my nose!- and allowed me to soak up every bit of moisture during my 30 minute treatment. Upon removing the mask itself, I gave myself a mini-facial to make sure that I soaked in all of the serum that was still on my face. After each mask my skin felt renewed, nourished, smooth, and fully hydrated. It's such an incredible feeling after my dry, scaly winter skin!
It's no secret that I love a good pamper session, and these will definitely be present in my future at-home spa days! Interested in getting some for yourself? Check out their website or one of the convenient retailers that stock these beauties- such as Sephora or Ulta.
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from WHEN to review honestly. As always, all opinions and words are my own. I benefit in no way if you purchase this product. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder!
When I was younger, I was all about eating sweets. I loved candy, cookies, ice cream, cakes, you name it! After dinner, I always begged my mom to let me indulge in some sweets. Once I'd eaten everything she'd allow, I'd try to push the envelope and ask for just one more. It almost never worked, but I always asked anyways. I think I exhausted my sweet tooth as a little girl, because I always go for the more savory options now.
Even though I don't have a sweet tooth quite like I used to, I absolutely love baking. Honestly, one of my least favorite things about living alone is that I don't have anyone to eat what I want to make- so I don't end up making it! My family got together for Easter, so I decided to use the opportunity to try out a new cookie recipe. Y'all. It was AWESOME.
Before I get to the recipe, I wanted to share a little back story behind my ingredient choice. I've always been told that the choices you make for ingredients greatly effect the outcome of your baked good! I completely agree with this, but feel as though I was interpreting it incorrectly. There are some great butter alternatives and gluten-free flours that bake just as well as their original counterparts. These alternatives can help people avoid allergens but still enjoy their favorite treats. I've been experimenting with different butter alternatives when cooking and thought it was a great time to transition into baking experiments! This was my first time baking with County Crock and won't be my last. The sticks were just as easy to use as real butter and produced delicious, fluffy cookies.
This recipe is perfect for someone like me because it marries salty and sweet into one delicious cookie. The dough that I used for the base isn't overly sweet and can support some sweeter add-ins. I used Ghirardelli 60% cacao dark chocolate chips in my recipe, but feel free to use what you like best. Personally I don't think there's any other brand of baking chocolate that comes close to Ghirardelli's flavor, so that is what I use.
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cookies Personalized from Country Crock's "Make It Yours" Dough Recipe Yields ~4.5 dozen cookies
1 cup Country Crock
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
(I used gluten-free)
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
10 oz dark chocolate chips
coarse sea salt
Preheat oven to 375. Cream together Country Crock, sugar, and brown sugar in a stand mixer using the paddle attachment. Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Stir until well mixed. Using the stir setting, add in flour 1 cup at a time. Finally, add in baking powder, salt and baking soda until well blended. Using a wooden spoon, fold in the chocolate chips.
Cover baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Spoon heaping teaspoonfuls onto baking sheet about 3 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on wire racks for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt then continue to cool completely. Enjoy!
This post was sponsored by Country Crock. Thank you for supporting the brands that support A Peachy Sonder!
I'm absolutely a creature of habit- there's no denying that. I love a good routine and feel at peace when things run according to plan. My skincare routine is probably the least predictable of all of my routines, because I LOVE trying new products. My routine also gets modified often because I have so many different products at my fingertips that I've used that produce awesome results. I'm all for mixing and matching different types of products to achieve my best fresh face! Things have been quiet out here on my blog as it relates to my beauty/skin care favorites, but I have to break the silence to share a new great product that I've been using- Valentia's royal rose hydrating serum! (showcased here earlier this month)
Valentia is a skin care brand that focuses on creating products that are natural, free of toxins, paraben-free, and effective. I was unfamiliar with their products before using this one, and am so glad to have been introduced! I'm very careful about what I put on my face and these products pass the scrutiny test. This particular serum packs a serious punch of moisture, antioxidants, and soothing botanicals. It's designed to smooth out you skin's texture and tone while nourishing. Hello, gorgeous skin!
Valentia's royal rose hydrating serum is not only beautifully packaged, but it is potent. I could feel the hydration immediately after my first use. No burning, no itching, and no sticky feeling follows application either. Over my first week, I noticed more radiance in my skin and I felt as though my skin was glowing even before I put any makeup on! The serum is more of a thin lotion that a traditional serum. It's so easy to use and doesn't run all over the place or promote wastage of product. You only need 1-2 pumps to coat your entire face and neck, so this bottle is extremely cost effective at $35. It has a dreamy and light rose scent, not surprising given the ingredients. Overall, it's a hit!
A quick testimony to the results I've seen: unless I'm sick, I rarely leave my house without applying some form of makeup to my skin. I just prefer the little bit of confidence I get from having nice-looking skin when I go out. Even just a tinted moisturizer or BB cream will make me feel better before I leave. On Saturday morning, I actually went out to pick up some breakfast bare faced. THIS IS HUGE FOR ME! I definitely owe my newfound comfort with my skin to this fantastic serum.
If you want more information about Valentia or the royal hydrating serum, check out their website. To purchase, you can head here. And as always, please reach out to me if you have any questions that are left unanswered!
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Valentia to review honestly. As always, all opinions and words are my own. I benefit in no way if you purchase this product. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder!
As I mentioned before, I'm moving this month. I'm trying to be cool as a cucumber, but moving has got to be one of the most stressful life experiences ever! Especially moving across several states! While stressful, there is definitely some fun and joy to be found in the process. Specifically the unpacking process. There's just something so renewing about starting fresh in a new residence. You're able to find a place for everything and also find opportunities to change/expand your current decor. I just love it!
Throughout this process, I've felt lucky that I'm moving to an urban area. I have gone to the store multiple times a day as I discover new things I need! I love going to stores like Target when I'm in this situation, because you can get all types of things in one trip. There's a time and place for long, multi-store shopping trips, but right now I'm all about convenience. Before the move I was trying to use up many of my beauty and kitchen products that were replaceable so I was having to pack less. This means that I'm having to restock a ton of things, and I thought I'd share some of my move-in must have list with y'all.
1 Basic Kitchen Staples. I love to cook and bake (especially with my new favorite kitchen toy!), so I have a few kitchen items that I consider to be staples. It's a short list, but will definitely get my kitchen ready for use. These staples include flour, white sugar, brown sugar, chocolate chips, powdered sugar, (almond) milk, unsalted butter, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, vegetable oil, eggs, garlic, vanilla extract, salt, pepper, cocoa powder, granola bars, and a frozen meal. It's a great start to your kitchen and can be expanded on to make delicious meals/treats!
2 Cleaning Supplies. Typically I'll use a few different cleaners around the house. I like to use one that's granite-friendly and food safe in the kitchen, a specialized glass cleaner, and a tough bathroom cleaner. I also like to keep wipes (like Clorox brand) for small in-between cleanings. Soap, paper towels and toilet paper are also some things I like to have right away, for obvious needs.
3 Beauty Needs. Target has really stepped up their game in the beauty department over recent years. Not only do they carry a variety of brands, they have some awesome products! A new-to-me favorite called derma e is coming to Target this month and I will be sure to grab some of the new products on my next trip! Derma e has been cruelty-free from the start (before it was trendy!) and creates products that blend modern science with powerful natural ingredients. I was introduced to this brand through their firming DMAE eye lift creme and love my results! Fine lines and crows feet have noticeably softened around my eyes through daily use. You can read more about it here and see the results for yourself in their video! Thankfully for all of us, this product will now be available at Target and I will be grabbing another tube ASAP. I've never used an eye-specific cream and have been SO impressed with this product's ability to keep my skin looking fresh through all of the stress I'm under right now.
4 Decor Needs. Another one of my favorite things about Target is their newly expanded home goods section. Not only is it HUGE, but their items are adorable! I think I will be needing a TV console, a floor lamp, and some new trinkets to really make my apartment feel like home. Additionally, I will be picking up some bath mats and a shower liner as well.
While I recognize that this list is specific to my needs, I think it's a great starting point for anyone going through the move-in process! Just remember that it is a process and you will be much happier with the results. Even seasoned movers still need time to adjust to a new home.
What are your move-in must haves? Have you ever moved before?
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from derma e to review honestly through BrandBacker. As always, all opinions and words are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder!
Hey lovelies! I'm super excited to be sharing today's post with y'all. Do you have hair envy like I do for the girls who appear to have perfectly coiffed manes 24/7? As I've shared before, I have thick hair that can be unruly at times. This has lead me on an interesting but tiring journey of finding the perfect hair routine to tame my locks and give me perfect hair days every day. I was given the opportunity to try out the Argan Oil Hair Care line from Hask and think I may have found what I've been searching for! Helllooooo gorgeous hair!
This line features a repairing shampoo and conditioner, repairing deep conditioner, and a shine oil (all packaged up in the cutest little bag!). All of the products are free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol and artificial colors! The potent ingredient in all of the products is Moroccan Argan oil- which works to repair, strengthen, and moisturize your hair while adding amazing shine. Hask Beauty's products combine high quality ingredients and amazing fragrances with bright packaging to deliver real results. They truly speak for themselves!
I have coarse naturally curly hair and struggle with frizz on a regular basis. Combating these problems usually requires goopy serums and thick creams that leave my hair weighed down and don't always fix my problems. Thankfully, I have found real solutions with Hask. For me, the most miraculous part of this product line is how light and soft my hair feels after use. No heavy products or extra weight to worry about. Which is awesome.
Thus far, I've used the shampoo and conditioner every other day (my hair gets cranky if I wash it every day), the shine oil on my ends every day, and the deep conditioner once a week. They all share a fresh citrus scent that stays with me all day! I just love it and find it extra luxurious while in the shower. Used together, the products provide softness I've rarely experienced and certainly have not found at this price point.
All-in-all, the Hask Argan Oil Hair Care line has been the start of my great hair days lately and I couldn't be happier with my results. If you're interested in prepping your hair for great hair days, check out their website here.
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Hask Beauty to review honestly. As always, all opinions and words are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder!
Hey y'all! I'm a little nervous but excited to share my first outfit post today!! Since I work 5 out of 7 days in a week (I know that's normal, but it's so sad seeing it written out!), my work wardrobe occupies the majority of my closet. I love finding pieces that are work appropriate and help me feel confident when meeting with customers. Today, I'm sharing a lovely scalloped dress from the custom online retailer, eShakti!
For this outfit, I'm wearing this adorable scallop dress selected from eShakti's website. I love the detailing across the bottom, and the pockets! I mean, who doesn't love a dress with pockets?! While mine is now sold out, this dress and this dress are great scalloped alternatives! I'm carrying my new clutch mentioned here and just adore it! The monogram is so subtle but really gives it the perfect amount of personalization. I chose to go minimal with jewelry, a simple gold cuff and my ever-present FitBit.
The wedges are Charles David from last season, but I've linked this
season's pair above and they are on serious sale.
The beauty of eShakti is that every single item on the website can be customized to your taste! For someone who comes in at a towering 5'3 like myself (jokes), skirt length can be an issue when shopping for work dresses. Yes- it needs to be work appropriate- but it doesn't need to come down to my ankles. I love that you can raise or lower the neckline, add or subtract from skirt length, and add-in sleeves! These are all important tweaks for me! I ordered this dress as it was featured on the website and had no issues. I did play around with the website and have no fear- the customizations are very simple to add.
It gets better, y'all. You can take the customization one step further and have a piece custom-made to your unique measurements! I think this is an innovative move to help women of any size feel their absolute best when they step out in a new piece. We all deserve that feeling! I've gotten so many compliments on this dress and am excited to continue wearing it until the weather stops me!
**ALSO** eShakti was kind enough to offer a discount code for an extra 10% off to my readers! Simply enter the code 'apeachysonder' into the promotional code box to redeem your savings. This code is valid on any purchase now through September 28th, 2015. Check out more from eShakti on their Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest pages!
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary dress from eShakti in exchange for my honest opinion. As always, all thoughts and words are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder!
Happy Monday! This weekend was jam-packed at times and relaxed at times, but always fun! I had a late girl's night out on the town Friday. Saturday was filled with paddleboarding, macarons, and a bubble bath. Yesterday was errands and church. I had plans to go to a yoga class but didn't make it. It's a shame that weekends are only two days, but what's a gal to do? I love having balance between getting recharged and making the most of my time off work. My weekends (this past one included) fall into a typical pattern. Saturdays are usually my relaxation/catch-up day and Sundays are usually reserved for yoga and errands after church. This may be embarrassing to admit but in addition to being a creature of habit, I'm that person who always has a snack on hand when I'm running around. Whether I'm out on errands, heading to the pool, or off to work- you can typically find a small bite in my purse. I am not cute/fun/pleasant when hungry, so I try to spare those around me and keep myself on task by being prepared.
Snacks are a tricky thing for me, because it's so easy to fall off the wagon of healthy eating here. Especially when we're talking about packaged foods. It's basically effortless to grab a bag of chips or a candy bar as you're running around. They taste great. But they can be stuffed full of unnecessary sugars, preservatives, and ingredients that leave me feeling lethargic afterwards- the exact opposite of what I want out of my on-the-go snack! I've tried a host of different snacks, and wanted to share one of my recent favorites with y'all- Nakd bars from Natural Balance Foods. These gluten free snack bars are AMAZING and so good for you. They're just the perfect snack for me, and I am confident that y'all will like them too.
The first thing that jumped out to me about these bars is the fact that they are gluten, wheat, and dairy free. While I don't have any issues with gluten, I do have issues with milk so the fact that I can eat these without any discomfort is perfection for me. They are 100% natural and don't contain any preservatives or icky additives. In fact, the labels contain ingredients that are plain and simple to understand. The brand describes their approach to production as "wholefood", meaning it's minimally processed and pretty dang close to eating the ingredients as they naturally occur.
While these bars maintain a host of positive qualities, the huge deciding factor for a new snack has got to be the taste. I haven't tasted every single bar that they make, but I'm just loving my 13 bar sample pack! The texture of these bars is unique, mimicking what a homemade energy bar would feel like. They are soft but not crumbly- an important factor to consider if you snack in the car! With flavors like Pecan Pie, Strawberry Crunch, and Caffe Mocha, they have great variety to pick from. My favorite so far is Cocoa Delight- my mouth is watering just thinking about it! I definitely recommend starting out with a variety pack, and you can go back to buy boxes of the individual flavors that you like best.
You can read more about these bars, as well as purchase them, on their website, or feel free to ask any question to me in the comments or in an email! I definitely recommend these for anyone looking to try a new delicious and healthy snack option. Especially those with food allergies! Have you ever heard of or had any of these bars yourself?
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary variety pack from Natural Balance Foods to review honestly. As always, all opinions and words are my own. I benefit in no way if you purchase this product. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder!
Hey y'all! I hope you're having the most fabulous week! Mine has been pretty good and I'm just happy it's FRIDAY! I'm about to get into a super busy season with my job, so I'm enjoying this "calm before the storm" time period. I've found that when I get busy with work, my typical routine and priorities shift. Normally, I stay in a pretty structured routine and this makes me happy (yes- I'm very Type A). I try to get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water, eat right, have a healthy amount of exercise, and keep up with my family/friends. Add in work responsibilities and blogging, and I have a full day every day!
Unfortunately when my routine starts to shift, I notice some not-so-cute side effects. Bags under my eyes, dry skin, fast food/take out for meals, feeling isolated from loved ones... YIKES! Any one of those problems are basically a nightmare for me, not to mention a combination of several. To my dismay- there is no quick fix for these problems. BUT, you can take steps to lessen and/or prevent them when you know they're on the horizon. Prevention is key for so many issues we run into- and that's precisely how Spongelle's Beyond Cleansing body contouring buffer comes into play!
Do you remember my first experience with Spongelle? I couldn't be more thrilled to check out another one of their awesome products. This body contouring buffer is designed to fight cellulite before it's a problem. How is this miracle accomplished? The shape of this buffer allows you to massage areas prone to cellulite. This treatment aims to stimulate lymphatic flow in those areas to firm and tighten your skin- ultimately preventing cellulite. It also contains caffeine and other botanical extracts to give immediate results after use. Um- hello?! A preventative treatment to keep my skin looking youthful that involves a massage? Do you think there is even a second of hesitation here??
As expected, my experience with the body contouring buffer was wonderful. First- the beach grass scent is just intoxicating. I mean, seriously. I wish y'all could smell through the screen! Simply taking it out of the box transported me to a spa-like mindset. I love feeling pampered and this did just that for me. The buffer is to be used in gentle circles with the textured side and the soft side is used to cleanse. This has 30+ washes in it and I can't wait to continue using it. My skin is soft, smells great, and appears smooth- especially in the areas that I massage. In my understanding, the new plumpness of the treated skin is due to the caffeine inside the buffer. I do believe that prevention is the only true way to combat certain issues like cellulite and do not think there is a quick fix that will provide long term results. With that being said, I think that quick fixes absolutely have their time and place! I'm happy to have discovered mine- this is perfect to bring along for a beach trip or to be used any time that you need a little last-minute skin tightening.
It even looks fun!
Overall, I'm pleased with this product (not that I'm surprised after my last experience)! Want more Spongelle? See their Instagram page to look at images to get you in a relaxing mindset and stay up-to-date with all product news! If you'd like to get one for yourself, Spongelle body buffers can be found at Anthropologie, spas, and local boutiques. You can use the store locator found on their website to find the closest location to you! In addition, they are sold online. Spongelle is generously offering 20% off to readers with the code "BBLOGGER20" through October 19.
This giveaway has ended, thank you for all who entered!
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Spongelle to review honestly. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I benefit in no way if you purchase this product. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder!
Hey y'all! Happy Monday (if there is such a thing). I'm super excited to share today's post! Have you heard of the amazing body care brand Spongelle? I've seen these adorable sponges in local boutiques and was absolutely thrilled at the opportunity to work with them! They are packaged in vibrant boxes and available in an array of delicious scents. I haven't been this excited for a package to arrive in quite some time now.
I received the coconut verbena body buffer and mandarin mint pedi buffer to try. This was my first time actually using a Spongelle product, and let me just tell y'all- these little guys are incredible! They are infused with sweet-smelling cleansers that leave your skin feeling luxuriously soft after use. Even better, they are able to be used multiple times!! The body buffers can be used 14+ times and the pedi buffers can be used 30+ times. That might be my favorite part of this whole body care innovation! Also of note, they are 100% made in the USA.
For me, the best part about the body buffer is how simple it makes my shower in the morning. I'm practically a zombie before I have my morning cup of coffee! Only needing to add water to the sponge makes this the EASIEST way to cleanse and pamper your body. And although it's one step, I don't feel cheated by skipping out on using multiple products to get soft skin. These sponges leave a light scent that sticks around well after my shower and deliver serious moisture from neck to toe. While I'm not the biggest fan of coconut scented products, I didn't mind the coconut verbena scent on my sponge.
As most girls do, I love getting pampered when receiving a pedicure. However, I do not like when they remove callouses from your feet. I'm soo ticklish! I always seem to spaz around and worry about kicking the poor soul working on my toes. This pedi buffer might just be the answer to my unsaid prayers. It's definitely a more firm sponge than the body buffer and it works to gently (but effectively) remove dead skin. The best part? It doesn't tickle when you do it to your own feet! Additionally, the mandarin mint smell was absolutely to die for! It was wonderfully exotic and makes me happy every time I use my buffer.
Overall, I love these products! I plan on continuing to use them and can't wait to try new scents when I purchase my next set. I also think these are perfect gifts at a reasonable price point! Interested in checking these out for yourself? Hop over to their shop and Instagram pages to browse around!
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Spongelle to review honestly. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I benefit in no way if you purchase this product. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder.
Hi out there! It's no secret that I'm a big fan of exfoliation. Not
only do I enjoy the feeling of scrubbing the impurities off my body, but
I love the smooth skin revealed afterwards! While this is important
across your whole body, it is especially beneficial for our faces! This
helps to keep pores unclogged, remove dead skin, and really prepares us
for the serums and moisturizers we may use afterwards. Because of these
great benefits, I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try out
this fantastic Oz Naturals dermafoliant!
I've used exfoliating face washes and masks before, but never an exfoliant powder. I
was a little skeptical and unsure of how to really use this product
when I received it. The instructions ask you to mix a small amount of
powder with water in your palm, scrub in circular motions, and allow it
to sit for 5 minutes on your face before rinsing it off. I may just be
clumsy, but I tried to use this twice at my sink counter and ended up
with the stuff all over my black granite! Not a pretty sight and
required me to clean my counter tops a few extra times during that week
to prevent the powder from sticking to everything I set down. The next
time I tried it, I used it in the shower and had an AMAZINGLY different
experience. It didn't feel messy, and was really easy to rinse off
completely. I will be using this exclusively in the shower moving
forward. In addition to the messes I was making, I also had a difficult
time trying to figure out a good amount of water to add to reach a nice
consistency before exfoliating. The "thin paste" description in the
instructions is pretty vague and I found that I prefer to really just
wet the powder and then add a little more water as needed during use!
The
dermafoliant makes my skin feel so silky, I honestly didn't know that
my face could BE that smooth! Putting on my serum and moisturizer
afterwards was actually enjoyable because I loved the feeling of my own
skin. How great is that?! It is recommended to be used 2-3 times a week,
and I feel as though the texture of my skin has evened out with regular
use (I've currently been using this product as recommended for the last
2 weeks). I'm excited to see the long-term results!
Interested in picking up a bottle for yourself? Check out Oz Naturals' Amazon shop here for more information!
I'm seriously impressed at the price point, because I feel that you are
able to get many uses out of the bottle sized based on my experience so
far.
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Oz Naturals to review honestly. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I benefit in no way if you purchase this product. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder.
Happy Tuesday, readers! I hope your week is going wonderfully and that you are still feeling rested from your weekend. I had an unexpected whirlwind of a weekend, but managed to find some time to relax. A friend from college was in town, so I ended up spending Friday and Saturday up in the city instead of plopped by my pool. Very fun but very busy! I found some time to relax on Sunday and treated myself to a pamper session. I had the opportunity to test out one of Adovia's Dead Sea Salt Scrub and was eager to add that in with my session! I painted my nails, did a face mask, used a cooling mask on my eyes, and drew a relaxing bath. It was quite the home run!
When I first received the opportunity to try this scrub, it was a no-brainer for me! There are so many benefits to exfoliating your skin and there are many ways to do it! A scrub is my favorite technique by far. Even when you have it narrowed down to a scrub, there are so many options! Adovia products are cruelty free and natural, which to me are important facts to consider when choosing new beauty products. Needless to say, it was a happy mail day when this arrived!
The container is a generous amount and I know it will last me a long time. I have the Ocean Breeze scent, and found it to be very soothing! The scrub itself is made of dead sea salt. The size of the granules is perfect for a scrub! It's recommended to scrub in a circular motion and I didn't find the salt to be too harsh on my sensitive skin. I found the consistency of the scrub to be my least favorite aspect of the product. It is oil based- which offers great benefits for your skin but makes for a messy experience. I had a hard time making sure I didn't spill a lot of the oil out while picking up the salts with my hand. Maybe a scoop or similar tool would help keep things less messy! When I opened the jar initially I felt the need to stir the product, but I found that it separated again quickly. In addition, this product left my tub extremely slippery after use. It was easy to rinse out before my next shower- I just had to remember to do so.
After exfoliating, my skin felt and smelled great! I loved how silky my skin was once I got dried off- I felt as though I didn't even need to put lotion on! That's huge perk for me, as it's one of the first things I do when I get out of a bath. This is great to keep my skin ready for the shorts and dresses I plan to wear this summer. I also would like to note that I don't recommend using this after shaving. The scrub irritated my legs when used immediately afterwards.
Overall, I like this scrub and will continue to enjoy the benefits it brings to my skin this summer. Interested in trying this out for yourself? Pick up your own container here or here! Do you have any questions about this product? Feel free to leave a comment below or shoot me an email!
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Adovia to review honestly. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I benefit in no way if you purchase this product. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder.
Hey y'all! I hope you're having a fabulous week so far. For those of you who have been reading along with me, you've probably noticed that I'm getting really interested in beauty and perfecting my skin care routine over the past few months. I've never been an expert when it comes to make-up, but I've always taken great care to keep my skin healthy and glowing. I work a customer-facing job in sales and have become even more sensitive to my appearance over the past few years (although let's be honest, what girl isn't?!). My appearance is giving an impression before I open my mouth to my customers and my skin has not been speaking kindly of my habits as of late- dehydration, lack of sleep, stress, and sun exposure. As I've started aging, I notice that my lifestyle shows up on my face more than it ever has before. Why is growing older so dang hard?!
Since I've started reading more blogs, I've noticed a new-to-me trend in skin care: beauty serums. They come in many different shapes and sizes claiming to fix a host of skin woes. I don't know all that there is to know about them, but I do know that you put them onto clean skin before moisturizing and it is said to work best when you leave a few minutes in between each step to let it fully absorb into your skin. As I've mentioned before, I have a combination complexion that tends to get even more oily when I'm stressed out. The fact that I'm already shiny made me nervous about putting something slick onto my face, especially in the mornings underneath my make-up.
Although I was nervous, the benefits of Solvaderm Skincare's ACE-Ferulic Serum seemed to outweigh my worries of adding a serum to my routine. Their products are carefully crafted by skincare experts and dermatologists to ensure top-of-the-line quality. This serum is designed to restore your skin and fight signs of aging due to sun exposure and/or environmental stressors. ACE-Ferulic serum targets your protein and collagen fibers to improve skin structure. Additionally, it works to improve your texture and tone to leave your skin glowingly youthful! Sign me up!
I have been using the product as directed- once in the morning and once at night- and am happy with my results so far. It began to work surprisingly fast! I could honestly notice a difference in my skin the first morning I woke up after using the serum. My skin appeared more plump and looked so well rested! This serum goes on so smoothly and doesn't cause any discomfort (burning, stinging, redness, etc) after application. In addition to the changes in structure I've noticed, I feel as though my skin has a more even tone and texture than it did before I started using this great product. Anything that banishes fine lines from my face is a winner in my book! I also love that this serum is professional grade and delivers actual results. I'm thrilled so far and am looking forward to my results with continued use.
Interested in picking up a bottle of this miracle serum for yourself? Check out Solvaderm Skincare's website here!
Do you use a beauty serum? Have you heard of this brand or product? If you have any questions, please leave me a comment or send me an email- I'm happy to answer any questions you may have!
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Solvaderm Skincare to review honestly. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder.
Hi out there! I can't believe it's already the last day of April. I've said this before, but this year is just FLYING by so far! There has been so much to do in so little time thus far, and it's been leaving me just short of exhausted. I am a fairly light sleeper and picky about my sleeping conditions- so between hosting guests and traveling, I've slipped into a serious sleep debt to my body. Thankfully, I was given the opportunity to try out Vita Sciences Maxasorb Melatonin Cream just in time!
Melatonin is a chemical that we naturally produce which regulates our sleep cycle. I don't have a deficiency that I'm aware of, but I definitely have a harder time falling asleep in the past few years that I ever have before. I've seen melatonin capsules at the pharmacy before, but have been weary about taking sleeping supplements. I am a bad sleeper anyways, and didn't want to become dependent on a pill just to fall asleep. Many of the supplements contain other chemicals as well, and I'm not one to just fill myself with unnecessary chemicals and hope that they help. I was so intrigued by the idea of a melatonin cream, I couldn't wait to try it!
It is so easy to use- I rub one pump of the creamy lotion on my legs before I crawl into bed on nights when I need a little help falling asleep. No matter how tired I am when I get into bed, I seem to do the same song and dance that prolongs my sleep every night. I normally toss and turn around in my bed for a while before getting comfortable. Once I'm finally settled in, it takes me additional time to shut my brain down from the day and relax into sleep. When I use my Maxasorb Melatonin Cream, I significantly reduce the amount of time between snuggling in and falling asleep. It's been amazing for me! I've noticed that when I have more restful sleep, it's easier for me to get up in the morning to start my day. Any changes in the morning are huge for me, as I'm not exactly a morning person as it is (read more about my morning routine here).
I honestly was a little skeptical about a topical melatonin treatment, but am so glad that I decided to give it a try. I don't feel dependent on it at all and am happy with the results when I use it. The lotion is smooth without leaving your skin greasy and is odorless, making it easy to use before bed. Here's to many more restful nights! Interested in getting some for yourself? Check out Vita Sciences website here.
Have you used any melatonin products? Do you have any secrets for falling asleep quickly?
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Vita Sciences via Brandbacker to review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder.
Happy Monday, y'all! I hope you had wonderful weekend! These past few weeks have been crazy with work for me, and it's really starting to show on my face. When I get stressed out, my skin gets more oily and I feel as though I break out every single time! Nothing is worse than having to deal with bad skin AND a crazy busy schedule! Thankfully, I got the opportunity to try out Pure & Essential Mineral's Dead Sea Mud mask. It couldn't have come at a better time for me!
Mud masks are well-known for their ability to purify your skin and shrink your pores. Now, there are many products who include those claims on their labels so it can be difficult to sort through all of the mess to find what actually will help out your skin! I have fair and sensitive skin, so I have to be extremely careful when selecting what I put on my face. Through knowing and understanding my skin type, I have found that I look my best when I use products containing mostly natural ingredients. Pure & Essential Mineral's Dead Sea Mud mask is 100% natural and organic- so I didn't have to think twice about giving it a try.
The instructions recommend weekly use, but I was hesitant to go all in until I had tried it out a few times. I have currently used it twice and am pleased with the experience. The product is silky smooth and went on easily. The mask does have a pretty strong smell, but I honestly didn't even notice it once it was on my face. It's not an artificial or perfume scent, so it didn't bother my eyes or nose during use! The mask dries quickly and you can feel it tightening on your skin right away so you know it's working. There was no burning sensation like I have experienced with other mud masks. Allow it to dry and after 10 minutes, re-activate the mask with warm water for simple removal. My skin is very soft and feels squeaky clean after using this mask! I have noticed a reduction in the size and redness of already-present blemishes. The mask does claim to reduce blackheads, but I did not see that on my skin. Maybe that is a benefit of longer or more frequent use than what I have been able to do so far.
I am excited to have a new secret weapon in my beauty routine and will definitely be keeping this mask handy for those stressful weeks! Head on over to Pure & Essential Mineral's Amazon shop to try it out for yourself!
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary product sample from Pure & Essential Minerals to review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support A Peachy Sonder.
