After looking back on our wedding day, there are definitely a few things that I am so happy I had that day! Today, I’m sharing my wedding day must haves with you, that way you don’t forget anything on your wedding day! From a trustworthy deodorant to a pretty little ring box, I’m covering it all!
Read moreAll of our Wedding Vendors: Reviewed
I mean, I may be biased, but after the wedding we had & all of the feedback we received from our guests, I can honestly say we had all the best vendors in the business. Truly. Our day was PERFECT thanks to everyone involved & here’s why!
Read moreThe Natural Deodorant I've Been Loving
Thank you, Kopari, for sponsoring today’s post. As always, all thoughts & opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands who support Pine Barren Beauty! xoxo
As you may or may not know, I’ve been working towards switching my beauty products to cleaner, non toxic options, deodorant included. Throughout the process of ditching and switching, I’ve found a few clean beauty brands I have grown to love. Kopari is one of those brands! They have an entire line of natural beauty products that are coconut oil based and actually work. Some of my long time favorites are the coconut body milk (smells so yummy), the coconut lip glossy (super hydrating), and the coconut cleansing oil (takes off all my makeup)! When they came out with an aluminum free deodorant, it was immediately on my list of products to try, especially since it has over 1,000 five star reviews!
Needless to say, I was thrilled when Kopari reached out to work together on their #TheTruthStinks campaign. They are truly making a difference by bringing awareness to the fact that your deodorant does not have to contain harmful ingredients like aluminum and other chemicals to actually work (just check out this video to see why). The key ingredients in the Kopari coconut deodorant are:
*coconut oil: antimicrobial and antibacterial, also hydrates and is great for sensitive skin
*100% plant based active: natural and nontoxic active that wards off bacteria and aids in odor protection
*sage oil: aids in sweat and odor reduction
*coconut water: hydrates & contains electrolytes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids
After testing their deodorant for the past few weeks, it is by far the best clean deodorant I have tried yet! A little bit goes a long way; you only need a couple swipes and you’re good to go. It goes on SO smooth and does not feel sticky or wet. It wears well ALL day and keeps you smelling fresh, even at the gym! I also sweat minimally with this one which is major. There’s just something about the formula that makes it feel like such a luxe product, without the high end price tag.
So what are you waiting for?! Ditch the current deodorant you’re using that probably contains a bunch of toxic ingredients and switch to this all natural one by Kopari! You can use my code PineBarren25 for 25% off your first coconut deo purchase or coconut deo subscription! The subscription is perfect because it guarantees you’ll never run out & you get it at a discounted rate! Kopari is also donating $1 for every coconut deodorant sold during the month of October to the F Cancer Organization; talk about a good product and a good cause 🙌🏻
As always, thank you so much for reading!
xoxo
this post contains affiliate links
Bridal Shower Recap
To say I was obsessed with everything about my bridal shower is an understatement. If you know me, you know I don’t like surprises; however, my bridal shower was an exception. Even though I was constantly sending my mom ideas from Pinterest, she still managed to put together a shower that blew me away & was more than I could have ever imagined. From the flower wreaths, to the gorg (&yummy) donuts, to the bubbly bar & the blush sequin backdrop, everything was truly perfect.
Read moreCurrent Skin Care Products I'm Loving
Happy Friday babes! I can’t believe we are just one week away from wedding day! It’s seriously such a surreal feeling! All the planning and preparation is finally coming together and I can’t wait to see how everything turns out!
If you’ve been following for a while, you know skincare is number one in my book. Over the summer, I made it a goal to start incorporating more nontoxic beauty products into my routine. My long term goal is to only be using nontoxic beauty products; however, i’m finding it to be really hard to make the commitment when there are some brands that I’ve been using for years that I just love, like Fresh. While I’ve successfully found a handful of organic, farm-to-face skincare brands that give amazing results, there are other brands I can’t let go of just yet.
Today I’m sharing a combination of products that has worked wonders on my skin over the last couple months. Keep in mind that just because something works well for me, doesn’t mean it will work the same for you. We all have different skin, so I always encourage you guys to try a variety of products and even switch things out one at a time so you can create the perfect routine for you! For reference, my skin is pretty normal. I used to have occasional breakouts but knock on wood, I haven’t experienced any lately. My skin rarely gets oily; if anything it can be on the drier side during the colder months. But let’s get to it! These are the products that currently make up my night time skincare routine!
One Love Organics Vitamin B Cleansing Oil
I love a good cleansing oil and this one is by far the best I’ve used to date! It’s super smooth, smells great, and removes all of my makeup! It leaves my skin feeling clean and nourished. I apply it dry and use a warm wash cloth to take it off. Since getting my lash extensions, I’m super careful around my eyes because you’re technically not supposed to use oil based products with lash extensions, but I could never give this up! If I have eye makeup on that I need to remove, I use this eye makeup remover by Dermalogica because it’s water based/oil free.
Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence
When Fresh sent me this treatment to try, I fell in love after just a few uses! I apply this at night, after my skin is cleansed and dry, but you can also use it as part of your morning routine. Keep in mind, a little bit goes a long way; a couple drops covers my entire face & neck. Out of the eight proven benefits, I would say immediately refined skin texture and immediately improved luminosity are the two major benefits I’ve seen so far. After using it for the past four weeks or so, my skin looks more nourished overall!
One Love Organics Vitamin C Facial Serum
An effective vitamin c serum is a must have skincare product in my book. I’ve tried a handful, and this one by One Love Organics is my favorite yet! The consistency is a bit more oily than other similar serums, so I prefer to use this at night as opposed to morning. I use one full pump for my whole face. I’ve been using it since May and it has kept my skin glowy and bright! One bottle has also lasted me almost five months, so it’s definitely worth the price.
Farmacy Honeymoon Glow AHA Resurfacing Serum
Farmacy is a new to me brand that is a clean, farm-to-face skincare brand. I use this serum every few nights and one pump goes a long way. Over the past few weeks, I have noticed glowy, even toned skin every morning after using it! It might feel tingly when you apply it, but that’s just the ingredients working! The AHA exfoliates dead skin cells, promotes cell renewal, targets hyperpigmentation, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also packed with a ton of other good for the skin ingredients. I highly recommend this serum if you’ve been looking for one that is reasonable/mid-range in price!
Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask
Mask are one of my favorite ways to give my skin a little extra love. Overnight masks are great when you want the effects to be long lasting, as opposed to immediate. This firming overnight mask has a thick consistency and feels great on the skin. I lather it on at the end of my night time skincare routine every few nights. When I wake up in the morning, my skin is hydrated and looks so fresh and healthy. I recommend purchasing the travel size before splurging on the full size. I personally like to switch up my masks and try new ones often, so the travel sizes are perfect if you like to switch yours up as well!
What skincare products have you been loving lately? Leave a comment to let me know!
& as always, thanks for reading <3
xoxo
Pine Barren Beauty Turns Three!
You guyssss. I can't believe it's been three years (and a week or so 🙃) since I've started my blog! Time just keeps going by quicker and quicker, especially the past few months. Today I'm sharing a life chat & a little bit of what I learned along the way because SO much has changed in the past three years!
WEDDING
If you've been following along for the past year, you'll know that Rob proposed last August (read about it here) and we are getting married this October. This has been by far one of the biggest life events that happened since starting my blog, so it's only been natural for me to let you gals know how planning is going and share what I've been learning! If you're a bride to be, check out my bridal category for a ton of fun posts, and more to come after the wedding!
About a month ago, I shared a life update blog post and wrote about how wedding plans were going pretty smooth and crazy Megan didn't have to come out. Well I spoke too soon 😝 this past month has been nuts in terms of wedding planning. It's funny how the planning process goes. In the beginning you feel the stress of finding your venue, booking your date, and securing the rest of your vendors. Then there's a long period of time where you really don't have anything to do. Then, you wake up one morning and your wedding is three months away and you're like shit, I have SO much that needs to get done!
Now that our wedding is just four weeks away - literally can't believe I just typed that - I've had my fair share of mental breakdowns over the past few weeks and I'm sure there are more to come. At this point, one of the biggest things I regret not doing is using some type of planner or app to keep me on track along the way. I'm almost positive that The Knot and Zola both offer some type of planner/app to help you manage everything and let you know what you should be doing and when.
One thing that affected my ability to stay on track was the purchase of our home (another major life event that has helped Pine Barren Beauty evolve). If you've read my previous blog posts, you know we were definitely not house hunting, but the perfect opportunity came along and we had to take it. Talk about a major distraction. We began to pour all of our time & energy and heart & soul into our home and as a result, wedding planning was put on the back burner. And I mean rightfully so. This home is our forever, and our wedding is just one day. It's so crazy to say, but if we knew that we were going to purchase a home when we did, we most likely would have eloped. BUT, more on that after our wedding day! I don't want to speak too soon haha.
At this point, our wedding bands are ordered & hopefully will be here in time, if not we'll be exchanging silicone ones lmao. I DON'T recommend waiting until 6 weeks before to get yours; definitely go like three months in advance :) The guys also got fitted this week for their suits! Also don't recommend waiting as long as we did for that either. We were going to use The Black Tux because it's convenient and has great reviews, but there's only one option for a tan suit and I was super disappointed in the color, quality, and fit, SO we had to go with a second option.
As far as things that we are enjoying - have your RSVP's addressed to your house. It's so fun to get a handful in the mail every day and open them together! One major tip I have is to number your rsvps. We got a handful returned with NO names. Having them numbered was such a help in determining who sent theirs back blank! I also have been stalking my registries like crazy because my shower is this weekend and I'm so excited. Another fun task has been picking out bridal party gifts! I also can't wait until I have my final meeting with my florist because I am beyonddd excited for our flowers. Everything is coming together and I just keep telling myself everything will get done ... because it has to :) hahah.
HOME
Needless to say, wedding planning has taken over! We still have a couple house things we want to finish before the wedding, including getting the rest of the trim up in the main hallway, framing out the shiplap wall in the living room, and completing the fireplace/mantle area (happening this weekend yay!). Besides that, finishing the kitchen and starting the master are going to wait until after the wedding.
The living room will most likely be the first room that is entirely complete. We really just have to get a rug, coffee table, and some fun decor items. I have been sharing updates on my instastories and have a highlight saved on my profile in case you missed anything! You can also shop our furniture and decor here (access this page at any time under "shop - my home" in the main navigation bar at the top of my blog). I can't wait to post room reveals here on the blog and share the before photos! Every room is such a transformation - I know you guys are going to love it!
LIFE
I think it goes without saying, but life has been pretty crazy lately. I'm out of routine and my head is in the clouds most of the time. If there's anything I've learned so far it's that self care is so important. Even when you feel like you don't have a second to spare, you have to make time to nourish your soul. There are SO many ways to practice self care, and this is a topic I plan to really expand upon in the coming months. Once the wedding is done and I finally have time to plan and get things in order, you can expect more content in the areas of self care, beauty, home content, and life chats. Of course, if you have any specific requests, let me know what you want to see! As my life changes and evolves, so will my blog. I'm beyond excited for what's to come and I hope you babes are too!
As always, thanks so much for reading!
Have a happy weekend!
xoxo
Labor Day Weekend Sales 2018!
The Best LDW Sales 2018
Hi babes - happy September first! I hope everyone has a fun & safe LDW. Make sure you don't miss out on all the amazing sales either! As always, thanks for stopping by & happy shopping xoxo
this post contains affiliate links
ANTHROPOLOGIE
extra 40% off sale + 20% off reg. price furniture
love this kitchen table, this bed frame, and this tank (perfect for layering into fall)
AERIE
40% off the aerie collection now through 9.3
this sweater is so cozy for fall, love this camo print pullover, these leggings look like a dream to wear, and these undies are my fave (now 10 for $35)
ABERCROMBIE
40% off everything
eyeing this sherpa pullover, these mom jeans, and this sweater for fall
NORDSTROM SUMMER SALE
up to 40% off through 9.9
AG jeans from the anniversary sale (see them on me in this blog post), this cozy cardigan AND this cozy cardigan that I also got during the anniversary sale, this pair of black denim that I JUST got in the mail but need a smaller size so I re-ordered in a 27.
LOFT
40% off everything with code LABORDAY
love the fringe detail on this sweater, love this open cardigan, these Lou & Grey sweatpants & these joggers
Clean Makeup Products That Actually Work
Clean Makeup Products That Actually Work
Making the transition to clean beauty products can be intimidating. Leaving behind products you love & know isn’t the easiet, and neither is finding new products that will work with your skin and meet your expectations. It’s trial and error, but so far I have been lucky to find clean beauty products that actually work & exceed my expectations! It’s so rewarding to know that what I am putting on my skin contains safe ingredients and gives the results I want.
As far as skincare goes, I published a post last week featuring the One Love Organics skincare line. I have been using these products exclusively for the past 6-8 weeks and my skin has never looked better! You can read about all of their products here and use code PINEBARRENBEAUTY10 for 10% off your purchase!
For makeup, I have been trying cleaner options for products as I run out of them. I haven’t switched everything yet, but all of my face products, except bronzer, are now clean products! I have been loving everything I am using, especially foundation which I was super nervous about! Keep reading to see which clean beauty products I'm obsessed with & why!
lawless I woke up like this flawless finish foundation
When I saw that Lawless came out with a foundation I had to get it! I had been considering the beauty counter foundation, but also wanted something that was full coverage and I knew Lawless would deliver. I was nervous about matching my color but as long as you go with the right undertone you'll be good! They also give the MAC equivalents which is convenient if you know your MAC shade.
First, let's talk about their customer service. I placed my order on a Friday with the free standard shipping option. It shipped that day and was on my doorstep on Monday. I'm all about a company with quick & free shipping, so that definitely started us off on the right foot. Next, the packaging is super chic. The box has all the info you need about the ingredients and the bottle itself is v pretty.
Now, let's talk about the foundation itself. I am completely in love. The texture is thick and a bit tacky when applied to the skin, but it does dry nicely and using a loose setting powder on top does help. It spreads smoothly and evenly (I apply my foundation with this brush). One pump gives pretty great coverage for daily wear. If I'm wearing it for a night out/wedding/event and want the best coverage I can get, I would probably go with two pumps but apply them in layers, letting the first layer dry before applying the second.
Overall, I am super impressed with this "clean AF" foundation and will definitely be repurchasing once I run out! I just love the entire vibe and branding behind this company, and I love that I can feel confident in using their products on my skin! You can read more about Lawless and their commitment to clean beauty here!
savvy minerals by young living matte setting powder
If you've been following along for a while, you will know that I started using Young Living back in February. I had always been intrigued with the concept of essential oils and finally decided it was time to see how they could benefit me! One of the many reasons I love Young Living is because they have SO much to offer beyond oils, including a completely non toxic, mineral based makeup line. I have been adding some of their makeup products to my monthly order for the past couple months and have been LOVING it. If you're not feeling the oils at first, you can sign up with the Savvy Minerals starter kit instead of the oils starter kit! Click here to read more about signing up or feel free to send me an email or DM with any questions!
The matte setting powder is brand new to the collection. A little bit goes a long way and I love the way it works with the Lawless foundation. I feel like it takes the tackiness away from the foundation and allows for a smooth application of the rest of my face products! It doesn't crease or cause my makeup to look cakey which is always a must for me when it comes to setting powder.
savvy minerals by young living blush
I've been using the Savvy Minerals blush in the shade "I Do Believe You're Blushin" and it's been so perfect for summer. It has just enough color & shimmer to create the perfect glow. There are so many shades to choose from and next on my list is the shade "Smashing." If you use the Savvy Minerals mist on your brush before tapping it in the blush, I will deepen the pigment and give more of a dewy look. It also gives a little more control when applying the blush. I use the blush either way (with or without the mist), depending on what my mood is and what type of look I'm going for!
savvy minerals by young living highlight
The highlight I've been using by Savvy Minerals is actually their original setting powder called diamond dust. Because it's luminous, I did not prefer it as a setting powder, but as a highlight it is perfect! It's just the right amount of shimmer while also looking natural. A little bit goes a long way with this one as well!
As always, thanks for reading!
If you have any questions at all, send me an email (megan@pinebarrenbeauty.com) or a DM on insta!
xoxo
Real Talk No. 4: All The Feels + Life Update
Update!
You guys. These past few weeks, (months actually) my head has legit been in the clouds. Between wedding planning, unexpectedly purchasing and beginning renovations on our home, and just everything else that comes along with life, I have been flying by the seat of my pants for weeks. It's such a weird thing too, because up until all the things started happening, I was pretty diligent with planning my days and being organized. But I guess when you have too much on your plate, you're bound to lose your routine at some point 🤷🏻♀️ and for me, losing my routine also means feeling all the emotions, all at once.
Buying and Renovating a Home
In this blog post, I shared my thoughts on our experience buying our first and forever home. You can check that out for more info on why we ended up buying now instead of building later, etc. One thing I didn't mention, because we hadn't yet started, was the renovation process. O M G. We have so many plans for our home and we came in wanting to do everything right away. Well, reality check, not everything is going to get done right away. And you know what? That's totally fine. It's always going to be a work in progress.
Even though everything is going to take time, we have been moving at a pretty solid pace. We started by ripping out the floors. Once that was done, we painted the living room, kitchen, and hallways all white (shade Pure White from Sherwin Williams). Then, we put down hardwood floor in the kitchen, living room, and hallways, that way the floor was the same throughout the main parts of the house. We finished up the flooring last weekend and it's so gorgeous! It also feels good to actually have a finished floor instead of plywood 😝
Next up is trim, painting the kitchen cabinets and choosing a new kitchen counter top! Our living room furniture should be here within the next two weeks, and I have my eye on a dining table that I think will go with our space perfectly! Everything else will come together as far as the details go, but we also have plans for the master bedroom & bathroom after the wedding!
Needless to say, I have been a bit distracted from wedding planning! All I want to do is focus on the house and get things done; I even told rob we should have just eloped at this point 😂 (we really did talk about that as a serious option at first). But I know once our wedding day is here it's all going to be worth it for the #bestdayever!
Wedding Planning
Speaking of wedding planning - in a couple weeks, it will be one year since Rob & I got engaged, and two months until wedding day. LITERALLY WHERE DID THE TIME GO? If someone has an answer or knows how to go back in time, please share in the comments lol. But really, time flies. It's such a cliché but it's so true.
Luckily, I got a lot of things done and all of my vendors secured right away. Now it's just finalizing invites & mailing them out, meeting with our dj to go over our playlist, figuring out the set up of the tables so we have a definite game plan for flowers, getting the guys suits picked out, and choosing our wedding bands. Now, I say that's it but it's a pretty long list once it's written out, huh? I know it's all going to get done but I better get to work 😝
More than all of that, here's what I have learned: even though I'm a perfectionist and details absolutely matter, what matters most is what you feel in your heart. It's your day and everything should be how you want it to be. Don't be afraid of what others might say or think. If you want to allow a ton of money in your budget for flowers because you LOVE them, then do it even though you're well aware they will die. The last thing you want to do is regret not doing this or that because you felt like you were being judged. Reality check - no one has the right to judge the decisions you make for YOUR wedding. I'm sure you have always envisioned how your wedding would be and you should do everything you can to make that vision come to life.
On the flip side, that does not mean to be a bridezilla! You still need to take into account the feelings of your fiancé, parents, wedding party, etc. because they are a part of this process and want to see everything go smoothly for you! I feel like I've been pretty chill for the most part. Naturally, I've had moments of stress & tears, but who doesn't feel overwhelmed at some point when planning a wedding? I'm just lucky that everyone involved in our wedding day has been on my good side so far hahah. But really, everyone has been great and I can't wait to see everything come together over the next couple months!! After all, it is going to be the best day ever!
Blog Life
Between the house & the wedding planning, I've been slacking a bit as far as the blog goes. This little corner of the internet requires so much time & attention. There's nothing else I would rather be doing, but I'm also not going to post just to post. I don't want to get in that habit because then I feel like I'm not being true to you guys. With that said, I've also been thinking about rebranding and taking my blog in a new direction - but more on that later - it still needs time to come together!
I've also cut back as far as buying clothes goes because let's be real, I'm on a budget til our wedding is over! I have my bachelorette party & shower (which means outfits outfits outfits), three other weddings before ours & one after that is a destination wedding so that requires more outfits, and makeup & hair appointments 🙃 I'm not mad about it, but my priorities are a little different right now compared to a few months ago which I'm sure you can understand and relate to. Isn't it crazy how life just happens and our priorities change according to what's going on? Just some food for thought!
As always, thanks for reading! If you have any thoughts you want to share, leave a comment!
xo
Skincare with One Love Organics
Today's post is in partnership with One Love Organics. Thank you for supporting the brands who support Pine Barren Beauty! As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. xoxo
One love organics
Hi babes! I'm so excited to share a review on the skincare products I have been using for the past 6 weeks! If you've been following along, you know that I am trying to make the switch to safer beauty products. You can read more about why I decide to make the switch in this blog post.
When I began researching clean beauty brands, I came across One Love Organics. I loved their packaging and after reading more about the brand and their products, I knew I had to try them out! The first two products I tried were the vitamin c facial serum and vitamin c body oil. The serum became a quick favorite and it is definitely a must have product. I also fell in love with how nourishing the body oil is. These two products made me want to try the rest of line, and trust me, I was not disappointed! I've been using their line morning & night and my skin has never felt more fresh! Keep reading to see which products I'm loving, when is best to use them, and what they are good for! One Love Organics was also kind enough to give me a special discount code for you girls so keep an eye out for that at the end of this post! <3
MORNING ROUTINE
Let's start with a fun fact. For years, I'm talking throughout high school & early college, I didn't really have a morning skincare routine. My skin was healthy and my routine consisted of me waking up & putting my make up on first thing. As long as I washed my makeup off at the end of the night, I was golden. And that was totally fine because it's what worked for me at the time. Over the years my skin has changed, and so has my daily routine. I now I have a morning skincare routine that I never skip.
EASY DOES IT FOAMING CLEANSER
One of my favorite parts of my morning skincare routine is cleansing. I love the feeling of clean skin after hitting the gym in the AM. It also feels good to apply my makeup to a fresh face.
I'm pretty particular when it comes to cleansers. They have to be gentle but still work. Enter: the easy does it foaming cleanser by One Love Organics. I typically prefer a cream cleanser because foaming cleansers have been a little to harsh on my skin in the past. HOWEVER. The name of this one speaks for itself: easy does it. I have been loving this cleanser because it leaves my skin feeling clean and soft, NOT dry.
VITAMIN E EYE BALM
If you've been following me for a while, you know that eye cream is the most inconsistent part of my skincare routine. I have tried SO many that just don't live up to my standards, until now! This vitamin e eye balm is different from the rest because it's a balm, not a cream. It has a waxy texture but absorbs into the skin so nicely, making it great for both day and night.
I love it the most because it wears well under makeup!! This has been the biggest problem for me and it's finally solved. My makeup does not crease or look cakey with this eye balm underneath - finally! Also, don't let small container fool you - a little bit goes a long way. I've been using it for over a month and haven't made the slightest dent in it.
SKIN DEW COCONUT WATER CREAM
When it comes to morning moisturizers, I like them to be lightweight, quick absorbing, and wear well under makeup. The skin dew coconut water cream checks off all of those boxes. I was looking for a cream that was comparable to the Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Cream, just with safer ingredients, and I can say that I have found it! Although it's not as weightless as the PTR, it's still lightweight and just as hydrating, if not more. It has a creamy texture and is the perfect base for makeup. After applying this, I go right into my makeup routine with primer then foundation, or just tinted moisturizer if it's a no makeup makeup kind of day.
NIGHT TIME ROUTINE
VITAMIN B ENZYME CLEANSING OIL + MAKEUP REMOVER
I love an oil based cleanser for night time because they are SO good at removing makeup. Because this one is organic, I feel confident lathering it on my skin. I use two full pumps and put it on my skin dry then remove it with a warm wash cloth or this cleansing sponge. Trust me when I tell you, it removes every bit of makeup and dirt, even stubborn mascara! If you try any product from One Love Organics, let it be this!!
VITAMIN C MOISTURIZING FACIAL SERUM
This was the first product I tried from One Love Organics & I fell in love! I was looking for a vitamin c serum that brightened my skin and did not plateau after a couple weeks and I found a winner. My skin has had a consistent glow because of this serum! It has also reduced dark spots from occasional breakouts within a week! Talk about a must have product - this is it.
It does have a more oily consistency to it, which is why it's part of my night time routine. I was using it in the morning, but it did not wear well under makeup for me. I use one full pump and mix it with the love springs eternal serum below for a winning combination.
LOVE SPRINGS ETERNAL YOUTH PRESERVATION SERUM
This youth preservation serum is more of a preventive step in my routine. It claims to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, so I can only hope that it will do just that. It also claims to be hydrating, which I can assure you that it is! It's the perfect last step in a summer skincare routine because it's lightweight and adds just enough moisture without having to apply moisturizer on top. It is a perfect mix with the vitamin c serum I talked about above. One pump of each and you're good to go!
SKIN SAVIOR MULTI-TASKING WONDER BALM
When I'm feeling like my skin needs a little extra night time love, I end with the skin savior wonder balm and it's amaaaazing! The citrus scent is so yummy. I've been loving it after days spent in the sun because it's super nourishing. It has a soft, waxy texture and goes on so smooth. It also doubles as a makeup remover and reminds me of the Damn Good Face Wash that you've heard me talk about in the past!
MASK
LOVE & CHARCOAL MASQUE
When it comes to masks, I typically gravitate toward ones that are hydrating, brightening, or nourishing. I never go for the detox/exfoliating masks because of past experiences where my skin has gotten really dry, irritated, or broken out because the mask was too harsh on my skin.
Naturally, I was nervous about this mask since it has activated charcoal in it, but I was also intrigued because of the word love in it's name. When I asked Alannah about it (the PR coordinator for One Love Organics), she said that in addition to the charcoal, it has alpine rose, cupuacu butter and an amaranth protein to also nourish your skin while the charcoal is drawing out the dirt and debris!
After hearing that, I set my fears aside and gave this mask a try! To start, I only left it on for about five minutes. I did notice it pull out some underlying dirt & debris, but I knew my skin had to detox and get rid of it. I put tea tree essential oil on the couple spots that surfaced, and that cleared them right up, along with the help of the rest of my night time products.
REWARDS
Needless to say, I have been seeing AMAZING results from using all of these products as a system. It's comforting to know that these products contain safe ingredients AND are effective. Not only has my skin been hydrated, nourished, and glowing, but I have not had as many breakouts as I was experiencing before. I'd say that's a definite win!
Another win when it comes to One Love Organics is their rewards program. They treat their customers SO well when purchasing directly from their site! There are so many different ways to earn points that can be used on future purchases. They have by far one of the best loyalty programs I've ever come across. Read all about it here.
You can also get 10% off of your one love organics purchase using my code: PINEBARRENBEAUTY10
As always, thanks for reading! If you have any questions at all, leave a comment!
xo
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2018: Best of Beauty
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2018: Best of Beauty
Hi ladies! Happy Monday! Due to popular demand, today I am sharing my top picks from this year's beauty exclusives for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! As you may or may not know, I am in the process of switching over to clean beauty products, so this is HARD for me to share. There are so many things I would have added to my cart in the past, but at the same time I know I want to be conscious of the ingredients in the products I'm putting on my skin every day.
With that said, I know not everyone is on the clean beauty train and that's totally okay! These picks are everything I would have wanted to add to my cart last year, clean or not. There are a couple great clean brands included in the sale, like rms, kopari, and supergoop, but I do wish there were more!!
If you're interested in reading more about my switch to clean beauty, read this post. Also know that I am taking it step by step, starting with skincare & makeup. I still use my usual haircare brands - living proof, moroccanoil, and dry bar. I am doing the best I can for me at the moment and that's all that matters! xoxo
this post contains affiliate links
check out my other Nordstrom anniversary sale blog posts here:
what I purchased
buy now, wear now
early access top picks
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2018: Best of Home
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2018: Best of Home
Hi babes! Due to popular demand via insta story polls, today I'm sharing my home picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! If you've been following along for the past few weeks, you will know that we just purchased our first and forever home, so naturally I'm craving all the home items. (read more about our home buying experience here) While I want to buy everything, I am holding off until our furniture arrives. I am going to have to pick out rugs, light fixtures, and then accessories last. However, all of these pieces are totally my vibe and I wish I was ready to add them to my cart!
xoxo
this post contains affiliate links