After going on a beauty product buying hiatus for the better part of 2 years I finally realized a few months ago that I had gotten myself into a bit of a beauty rut. I wore the same makeup and had used the same hair products for years and I felt that I didn’t look quite as fresh faced as I used to. Motherhood and getting older certainly had something to do with it, but I finally decided to try a few new products with the hope of finding a few winners.
Have any of you switched from normal shampoo to sulfate-free shampoo? A favorite blogger/instagrammer of mine switched to Lavett&Chin light hair wash and I decided to give it a shot. Well, I normally buy drug store shampoo so $40 for a tiny bottle was a massive splurge…and turns out I HATED it. My scalp got dandruff and my roots got oily…a really awful-looking combo and I think sulfate-free shampoo is not for me. I read that if you work out a lot and need to wash your hair more often it may not be good for you, and I think that must be my case. For those of you who have switched, did this happen to you and did your scalp adjust? I hate feeling like I threw money down the drain, but I just switched back to good ole Pantene Pro-V and my hair feels great.
In addition to changing shampoo, I also added Alterna Caviar CC Cream to my haircare routine. I love it! I put it in my damp hair after a shower and then let my hair air dry. My hair has never been smoother and it smells really really good! Sometimes once it’s dry I’ll put a little extra on the ends too.
For Christmas I received a 6 month Birchbox subscription and I really enjoyed receiving samples of new products. My favorites so far have been this fruit peel, this face cleanser, and this dry shampoo. I didn’t keep up the subscription but it was fun to have new products delivered each month!
When I was pregnant last time I got melasma on my forehead and on my upper lip (you’ve probably noticed it if you watch my Instagram Stories). I still have it since I couldn’t use anything strong while nursing and then I got pregnant again right before I weaned Jack. Does anyone have any good recommendations for this? I have a feeling I’m going to have it until I’m finished breastfeeding this next baby and then I can finally treat it. I’d love to know what you all use though. I’ve been using this 100% organic facial oil by Boots Botanics at night and I think the rosehip in it has helped brighten my skin and make my spots fade a bit. I’ve also been sprinkling turbo booster C powder by philosophy into my daily moisturizer and I think it has helped as well. The bottle is tiny and it’s fairly expensive but it lasts forever. This ultimate miracle worker night cream was a splurge but I’ve really liked how lightweight and effective it is.
I have a few more posts lined up sharing my current (quick!) beauty routine, as well as a review of a new line (Glossier) that I decided to give a shot a few months ago. Stay tuned!
I have to admit that I have never had any sort of skin care routine, but since the beginning of the year, my skin has been so bad that I've now given it a try. And it's made all the difference! But I guess if your routine isn't working for you anymore, then you need to switch it up 🙂 regarding hair: I have a really sensitive scalp, and even though I only wash my hair once every 4-5 days, sulfate-free also REALLY didn't work for me. I've now switched to the new L'Oreal Botanicals range (without parabens, colorants, and silicone), and I really love it!
I discovered that pure aloe lotion at a running expo and I LOVE IT! I wish I had taken a "before" picture of my hands because they were definitely aging fast. My skin was very wrinkly and I had very dark age/sun spots. After 2 and half months of using this aloe lotion day and night, there is such an improvement on my hands, that I just stare at them while I'm typing 🙂 It's kind of expensive, but for a natural product I am absolutely blown away by the results. I've also had good results fading an age spot from my face with consistent use of Vetiver essential oil. I'm not sure if age spots are similar to melasma, but it seems like it should be.
Also, I've used cheap drugstore shampoo that says sulfate-free on it. I can't remember what it was, but it was for color-treated hair, and I didn't notice any difference from other shampoos. I'm using a lot of dry shampoo in Iraq because my hair is always sweaty, but the water over here is so drying, I hate washing my hair.
A skin care routine makes all the difference! It's hard getting into one but once it becomes part of your daily routine it's pretty easy to stick to. I've been religious about washing, exfoliating, moisturizing and using SPF since I was in high school, but my problem is that I've hardly switched anything up over the years and I felt like my skin was just really sad and dull looking. I feel so much better now! I've switched my makeup up too and LOVE the difference. I'll share those products soon. And I'm so glad I'm not the only one who sulfate-free shampoo doesn't work for.
Have you tried bare minerals makeup before? I finally bought some at the Ft. Leavenworth PX and am OBSESSED. There is rarely a woman there to help you so you kind of have to figure it all out yourself, but it has really helped me feel so much better and it's really simple to use too!
Thanks for sharing the link! I don't think those are safe for pregnancy/breastfeeding so I'm going to have to wait a while. I'm totally on board once that phase is over though!
I have to admit that I have never had any sort of skin care routine, but since the beginning of the year, my skin has been so bad that I've now given it a try. And it's made all the difference! But I guess if your routine isn't working for you anymore, then you need to switch it up 🙂 regarding hair: I have a really sensitive scalp, and even though I only wash my hair once every 4-5 days, sulfate-free also REALLY didn't work for me. I've now switched to the new L'Oreal Botanicals range (without parabens, colorants, and silicone), and I really love it!
I'm in a beauty rut that I can't seem to get out of. Thank for this. I may check out some of these products. 🙂
I discovered that pure aloe lotion at a running expo and I LOVE IT! I wish I had taken a "before" picture of my hands because they were definitely aging fast. My skin was very wrinkly and I had very dark age/sun spots. After 2 and half months of using this aloe lotion day and night, there is such an improvement on my hands, that I just stare at them while I'm typing 🙂 It's kind of expensive, but for a natural product I am absolutely blown away by the results. I've also had good results fading an age spot from my face with consistent use of Vetiver essential oil. I'm not sure if age spots are similar to melasma, but it seems like it should be.
Here is a link to the Aloe lotion on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hawaiian-Moon-Aloe-Cream-Skin/dp/B00BFLV4TY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1503397050&sr=8-1&keywords=hawaii+moon+aloe
Also, I've used cheap drugstore shampoo that says sulfate-free on it. I can't remember what it was, but it was for color-treated hair, and I didn't notice any difference from other shampoos. I'm using a lot of dry shampoo in Iraq because my hair is always sweaty, but the water over here is so drying, I hate washing my hair.
Super love your makeup bag!!
A skin care routine makes all the difference! It's hard getting into one but once it becomes part of your daily routine it's pretty easy to stick to. I've been religious about washing, exfoliating, moisturizing and using SPF since I was in high school, but my problem is that I've hardly switched anything up over the years and I felt like my skin was just really sad and dull looking. I feel so much better now! I've switched my makeup up too and LOVE the difference. I'll share those products soon. And I'm so glad I'm not the only one who sulfate-free shampoo doesn't work for.
Have you tried bare minerals makeup before? I finally bought some at the Ft. Leavenworth PX and am OBSESSED. There is rarely a woman there to help you so you kind of have to figure it all out yourself, but it has really helped me feel so much better and it's really simple to use too!
Thanks Karen, it's a Kate Spade factory one I found for a great price a few years ago 🙂
Retinol and exfoliating with acids, which are also great for your skin in general (but maybe not for pregnancy/breastfeeding, so ask your doctor :))
https://intothegloss.com/2017/08/best-melasma-treatments/
Can't wait for the makeup post!
Thanks for sharing the link! I don't think those are safe for pregnancy/breastfeeding so I'm going to have to wait a while. I'm totally on board once that phase is over though!