Happy New Year!! I am excited to start another year of Adventure á la Mode!! Have you seen the New Year, New Glam Giveaway yet? It’s linked here and you won’t want to miss out on entering this one! It’s just a little way to say thank you to all of the readers and followers that keep me writing!! 🙂 At the moment, there are currently 312 total entries and the contest ends January 13th. I picked some of the best products for one lucky reader to win.<3
I have been thinking about this blog post for a while now. There are so many cosmetics out there that we love, some we even can’t live without anymore! Trust me, I know. What I learned in 2017, though, is that to be the best version of ourselves, it’s not about how well we apply the best make-up out there; it begins with taking good care of the skin, the hair, and the lashes that we have! As I approach 30 (I still have a few years left…) and many of my friends meet with and exceed it, the topic of conversation often turns to our skin. When you’re younger, it’s not something you really put much thought into. In fact, it’s mostly flawless without much effort at all. But as you get older, your pores become larger, fine lines and wrinkles appear, dark circles become evident, and skin loses its even tone and elasticity. Skin may even experience discoloration with pregnancy or repeated exposure to sun. We learn more and more every day just how bad the sun can be for our skin. I wish I could go back and tell high school me to just spray tan for all of those dances and functions I hit the tanning bed for. Now, having not tanned since 2015, I hope my skin doesn’t later see the damaging effects of tanning.
Over the last few months, I’ve really invested in taking care of myself. It’s not a bad thing to wear make-up. We all have to enhance our natural beauty a little sometimes! 😉 But, we cannot neglect taking care of ourselves in the process. A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on my current skincare and lash regimen. I promised to post updates. Below, I’ve attached some photos of my lashes at about 6 weeks of using my Lash Boost conditioner. The one directly below is an unedited crop of just my eyes to show the length and fullness of my natural eyelashes. The two others show the thickness and fullness of my lashes when my eyes are closed (also unedited). I know lash extensions are all the craze right now, but there’s something beautiful about having your own natural long lashes. I love applying a coat of mascara and seeing the true length and dramatic look my own lashes provide. I can say that at 6 weeks of Lash Boost, my lashes are still dark blonde/light brown in color; they haven’t really gotten much darker, but they have made significant gains in length and thickness. When I first started using Lash Boost, I was a bit taken aback at the price of the serum. The good news, however, is that I am still on the same tube I originally purchased and it should last me another 2 months or more. I also signed up to be a Preferred Customer with Rodan+Fields, so I got 10% or more off the retail price and free shipping on all orders and more exclusive offers. When you look through the ingredients of Lash Boost, you may notice, like I did, that it is not a prescription (like Latisse); in fact, it contains a lot of natural ingredients and vitamins like keratin, biotin, panthenol and pantethine (Vitamin B5), and almond extract, to name a few. Keratin and biotin have always helped my hair grow long and healthy, so it makes sense why my lashes are doing the same! I will provide another lash update in a few weeks!
I also wanted to try some skincare products for alllll of the reasons I mentioned above. The doctors that created Proactiv are the same doctors that developed Rodan+Fields, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, dermatologists who studied at Stanford. They created R+F products based on what they’ve experienced in their dermatology offices and make it possible to get exactly what your skin needs without a trip to the doctor’s office. I personally used the skin Solutions Tool (a personal skin consultation) to determine what products I needed. You answer a few questions about your skin and are given results and a personalized skin regimen that best meets your needs (see screenshot below).
I’ve been using a toner every night and morning. I alternate between the Reverse Brightening and the Redefine Pore Minimizing toners. I also have been using the Redefine Intensive Renewing Serum (60 capsules). I love how the serum is already split into 60 days worth of capsules so you use exactly the right amount every night! This combination of products has definitely been great for me! My skin tone is very smooth and even. This coming week, I am looking SO forward to trying my new Amp MD Micro-Exfoliating Roller as part of the Redefine Serum regimen. I’ve done my research on this one and have seen so many amazing results on other blogs and forums. Basically, it is a skin roller that has tiny tiny microneedles that create a very small “wound” on the skin (not painful) and thus, causes the skin to create more collagen and elastin. This also enables the skin to better absorb the Redefine serum, as well. From what I’ve read, this roller is like getting a Professional Needling Treatment done in a dermatology office or med-spa. You can also use it on your lips to increase collagen and help absorb product. I probably do not need my lips to be any bigger so I will be sticking to the face. LOL! It also can be used on the neck area. I will keep you updated on this new amazing product as well! What I use may not be exactly what you need to use. I invite you to use the Solutions tool and see what your skin needs or check out the other products on my website. FYI, there is also a Blemish line and Soothe line for acne-prone and sensitive skin that I haven’t explored!
To finish this blog post, I am sharing with you some photos that 2 months ago, I probably never thought I would. I think it’s difficult for any woman to really feel confident without some make-up on. We live in a world of airbrushed and photoshopped Instagram models and thus, exceedingly high expectations. I get it. Sometimes, it’s hard to run to the store without throwing on at least a little make-up. With that being said, I’m not extremely excited to share these photos with you. There’s no denying that they’re not the most beautiful (lol), but I can tell you that over the last few weeks, I have felt comfortable enough in my own skin (and lashes) to put on some R+F moisturizer (it’s been so cold and dry where I live), my morning Bright Eye Complex under my eyes, and a little mascara (had to link it– it’s the best mascara ever) when I head out to run errands or visit family. My skin is looking smoother and actually kind of “glowy” since I’ve made it a serious priority to take care of it! I’m talking a maximum of 2-3 extra minutes each morning and night. My skin is, by no means and certainly not by my standards, perfect. I have visible pores and some lines in my forehead from always raising my eyebrows (lol). My skin tone is uneven and when my skin is dry, my cheeks are even a bit red! BUT is my skin improving? Do I feel more radiant without any make-up on? Am I happy I started investing in my skin? 100% yes. It’s a no-brainer. We have to take care of the bodies we have; we only get one. Make-up fads come and go and, by all means, rock them– but skin will always be in.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am happy to share more information with you and answer any questions you may have! Happy New Year, guys! Thank you so much for letting me be part of your day! Have an amazing 2018! I look forward to sharing my upcoming year with YOU!
xo,
Ashley
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