Fresh

Toner Collections Should Be a Thing | A Quick and Easy Meal | Midi Skirts!

March 24th, 2021 by Karen 16 Comments

I suppose one could collect stamps or coins or Fabergé eggs or Banksy paintings…but why, when you could just collect toners?! HA HA HA!

Remember all the toner commercials in the ’90s and how you always had to apply toners with a cotton ball? I used to do that, but now? Forget about it. I pour a little in my palms and press and rub the liquid right into my skin. I think the liquid absorbs quicker that way and, bonus, I don’t feel like I’m wasting any of the product on the cotton ball!

There are currently five toners gracing my bathroom shelf. They’re mostly for exfoliation because I’m forever dealing with hyperpigmentation and acne, so I rotate among them, depending on how my skin’s doing. I usually apply them in the morning right after washing my face and before any serums. Sometimes, I’ll use just one; other days, I’ll layer two.

Lately, my skin’s been in the mood for extra moisture, so I’ve been using Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence or Paula’s Choice BHA. Sometimes both.

I’ve also been using and liking REN Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic, which is a triple threat with three exfoliating ingredients — willow bark, lactic acid and azelaic acid. Side note: DUDE, azelaic acid! If you’re not on that train yet, get on it already.

Occasionally, I’ll dip into the Niacinamide Brightening Toner by Good Molecules (niacinamide, vitamin C, arbutin and licorice root extract) or Kate Somerville Liquid Exfolikate (glycolic, malic, and lactic acids), if I’m craving something different.

On a side note, you know what I miss? Clinique’s old-school BHA toner, Mild Clarifying Lotion. They reformulated it a while back, and it just isn’t the same now. I should’ve stockpiled the O.G. version while I could… Le sigh! #BeautyRegrets

Are toners a “thing” for you too? Maybe we can start a toner enthusiasts club, ha ha ha! ?

A quick-and-easy meal

Not related to toner at all, but this is my new favorite quick meal: a rice and edamame bowl. (Yes, you gotta have it in a bowl!)

I usually add a few shakes of Nori Komi Furikake Japanese Multi-Purpose Seasoning, but Coywolf prefers it plain.

edamame rice no furikake — Connor likes hers plain.

edamame rice furikake — I like mine with furikake (seaweed).

Speaking of TJs, you can get this meal in your belly in less than five minutes with a couple of Trader Joe’s-assisted shortcuts! First, we usually have leftover white rice in a tupperware in the fridge, but when we don’t, I reach for the microwavable white rice from the TJ’s frozen food section, which takes all but three minutes to make. Trader Joe’s also has shelled, salted edamame in the freezer section too. Just defrost in the microwave.

I think this could also be delish with a sunny-side-up egg on top, but I haven’t tried it yet.

Midi skirts!

I’m still slowly but surely chipping away at the wardrobe checklist recommendations (I’m on a mission to look and feel put-together) I found about a month ago and wanted to tell you about these pull-on midi skirts from Gap.

Both the black and white skirt have pockets (SAY WHAT!) and come in regular, tall and petite lengths.

FYI, it looks like they’re still on sale, in case you’re interested (I’m totally my mother’s daughter and hate to pay full price).

I haven’t seen either of these skirts in person yet, and I can see how they could potentially be 1) super cute and casual, or 2) make me look like I’m in a cult…so we shall see! I suppose that’s a major downside to not visiting a fitting room in months.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Detailed Deep Dive Into My Current Skincare Routine

April 25th, 2019 by Karen 27 Comments

current skin care top pic — All about retinol these days, babes.

I’ve been meaning to do an updated skin care routine breakdown, and today seems like a good day for it. But before I jump in, I feel like I should let you that I’m standing in my bathroom right now looking into my cabinet, which stands just behind and above the toilet, and having PTSD flashbacks of my Velvet Teddy lipstick falling into the toilet. ?

I keep hearing that *plunk* over and over again…

That said, here we go!

Everything I’m doing in my routine now revolves around how sensitive my skin is feeling on any given day, because I started using a retinol with vitamin C recently. It’s called Kate Somerville Retinol Vitamin C Power Serum, and I’m trying to ramp up slowly to be able to use it seven days a week. Right now, I’m at three days, and I find that introducing it slowly over weeks and watching everything else that I use in conjunction with it allows me to keep going without my skin turning red or freaking out.

Morning routine

In the morning, I’ll wash one of two ways. If my skin’s feeling extra tight and red and sensitive and angry, then I’ll do a few splashes of warm water on my bare face, then gently blot with a towel. If, on the other hand, my skin’s feeling OK, then I’ll use a squirt or two of Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser directly on bare skin (I’ll work it in with my fingers). Then I’ll remove it with a washcloth dampened with warm water. After that, I’ll do a few splashes of ice cold water to help me wake up.

At that point, I’ll wait…usually between 30 minutes and an hour (depends on how much time I have and what I’m doing in the morning), and then I’ll apply all of my skin treatments.

I wait because I want my skin to be completely dry before I put anything aggressive on there, because if I don’t wait, and my skin is wet when I apply a BHA or benzoyl peroxide, they’ll just aggravate it even more.

So. Completely dry!

current skin care routine — It’s less complicated than it looks, I swear!

At that point, I’ll do an eye cream. (Right now I’m using this one by Nyakio, and I think it’s just “eh.” I’ll replace it eventually with something else when I get around it.) Then I’ll use two pumps of my ride-or-die Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion all over my face to prevent the pimples from taking over.

After that, I’ll apply a thin layer of Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream (which has been my skin savior ever since I introduced the retinol), followed by a healthy dollop of sunscreen, specifically Clinique Super Defense Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 for Very Dry to Dry Combination Skin.

Sometimes, before I do the two pumps of Anti Bac, if I feel like my skin can handle it, I’ll do a little with Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence, just because I like to sneak some exfoliation in during the day if I can. I’ll do that two or three mornings a week, so it’s not an everyday thing for me.

Fast forward to the evening…

First, a double cleanse. On completely dry skin (as in my makeup is still on), I’ll massage an oil cleanser on my face and eyes to break everything down. I like DHC Deep Cleansing Oil or Fresh Seaberry for this.

At that point, I’ll take a clean, warm washcloth and gently wipe everything off. Next, I’ll do a second cleanse with either Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser, if I haven’t been wearing a ton of makeup, or if I haven’t been sweating; or the H2O Plus Elements Keep It Fresh Cleanser. I use that one when I’ve been wearing a little more makeup, or if I’ve been perspiring a lot. It’s just a stronger, more potent gel cleanser.

Again, I wait from 30-60 minutes (this generally depends on how tired I am), then apply eye cream, and I’ve been using this one called Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Supercharged Complex.

It’s OK… I’ve yet to find an eye cream that blows my mind.
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November 2018 Favorites

December 10th, 2018 by Karen 19 Comments

Because it’s cold, I’m already getting nostalgic for November! Here are some things I loved the heck out of last month…

1. Onomie Boosting Lip + Cheek Sticks ($30 each)

These are super sheer compared to some other creams products out there, like the MAC Cream Colour Bases, but don’t walk away just yet. I don’t really use them when I’m gonna be taking pics for MBB, because they’re too subtle for photography, but for regular life, like when I’m wearing the most minimal of minimal makeup (a recurring theme when you live with a demanding tabby and a toddler), they’re B-O-M-B. They add just enough color to cheeks and lips to liven things up so I don’t look totally dead, ha ha.

I blend concealer under my eyes and skip the tinted moisturizer/foundation completely, then plop on a coat of mascara, and dab and blend one of these tints on my cheeks and lips.

It’s a very Megan Markle makeup look, and I’m into it.

Comes in six shades. I wear the Berry the most.

2. Juno & Co Microfiber Velvet Sponge ($6 each, or four for $20)

You can use this soft and squishy makeup blending sponge wet or dry to apply or set foundation, powder and/or concealer. The surface of the sponge feels velvety, similar to velvet fabric, which makes a big difference in the finished look. It’s a more airbrushed and polished look than you get with the beautyblender-y makeup sponges out there.

3. R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo and Conditioner ($30 each)

You know when your hair feels coated, weighed down and heavy? UGH, I hate that feeling. It’s like living with a family of filthy forest animals on your head 24/7. Anyway, with this shampoo and conditioner, you can completely avoid that issue. They’re for smoothing, moisturizing *and* volume, and they’re made for all hair types, from fine to thick and wavy like mine, and everything in between. When I use this set, my hair is what I call, “light and fluffy.” My only wish is that they came in bigger bottles!

The scent is lovely, too. I detect lavender, pineapple, tangerines and warm, white musk.

4. R+Co Waterfall Moisture + Shine Lotion ($29)

Again for the girls and guys who like hair that isn’t coated with a thick layer of goo. (R+Co is good at that.) This intense leave-in conditioner and frizz-fighter is just as moisturizing as their High Dive Moisture + Shine Cream (don’t even ask me how many bottles of that I’ve gone through), but it retains more volume in your strands, so it flattens the hair less than High Dive.

Both are brilliant, but if you have long or medium-length hair, and you’re all about floofy marshmallow volume, this is the one you’ll want, especially if you like violets, oranges and caramel, which is how it smells.

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Skin Care Rave! Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil

November 23rd, 2018 by Karen 10 Comments

fresh seaberry moisurizing face oil — LOVE IT!

So. Effing. Good.

Last month, while battling a nasty cold, I came to the conclusion that Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil really does live up to the hype (4.5 stars with more than ONE THOUSAND reviews on sephora.com).

You know when you’re blowing your nose so often that the skin around your nostrils gets rubbed raw, and it’s dry, and it hurts? Mine gets so sensitive to the touch that even splashing water on my face hurts.

My usual heavyduty face moisturizers weren’t doing the job done, so, out of desperation (and perhaps loopy from the cold meds), I tracked this down, busted it open, and patted about a half a dropper of the oil on the skin around my nose, nostrils and mouth.

AHHHH! Instant relief. Seaberry Oil BRINGS IT big time in the moisture department.

“Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil is a precious blend of pure oils—seaberry, cranberry seed, camellia seed, grapeseed, and sweet almond—packed with nourishing omegas to preserve a youthful appearance. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly for a boost of vital moisture.”

— sephora.com

Highlighted ingredients:

Seaberry Oil: A powerful antioxidant rich in moisturizing omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9 noted for protecting the skin from aging free radicals.

Cranberry Seed Oil: Maintains the skin’s elasticity and smoothness.

Camellia Seed Oil: Helps to retain moisture and promote smooth, supple skin.

Ingredients:
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Fragrance, Bht, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Coumarin, Geraniol

It’s rich in antioxidants and omegas, and made for normal, dry and sensitive skin types, so peeps across the land can use it! — even if you have oily skin. I saw more than a few reviews from people with oily skin raving about it on the Sephora website.

Now it’s an everyday part of my routine. Every morning and night after I wash my face, I work about three big drops using the included dropper onto my skin while it’s damp. Sometimes I’ll also mix one or two drops into my trusty Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream as well, which is another great combo IMO.

It’s $52 for a 1.6-oz. bottle, which is a pretty good size. I think it’s enough to last a long while.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

[The Shower Files] Get Fresh Life Body Oil and Body Lotion Into Your Shower Right Meow

August 13th, 2018 by Karen 2 Comments

fresh fresh life body oil — I *just* sniffed my arm, and it smelled absolutely delicious.

Obvs, Fresh is a skin care line, first and foremost, but I have extra gravy-caliber love in my cat lady heart for their fragrances.

Fresh Life is my favorite of them all, but Sugar Lemon runs a close second.

Then Hesperides Grapefruit.

And Sugar Lychee.

Bah, who am I kidding? I love them all…but Fresh Life is the one I wear the most. It’s airy, refreshing, girly and doesn’t get up in your grill. It’s like a lighter cross between Chloe and Byredo Gypsy Water. I think if you like either of those — or if you just love lemony or sugary scents, or grapefruit, or lilac and/or magnolia — you’ll love this too.

I wore the Eau de Parfum through spring and summer, but I just realized that there’s also a bunch of other Fresh Life products, like lotion, oil and soap…

SAY WHA!?

Rock that I’ve been hiding under, meet my beauty bestie. Beauty bestie, meet the rock I’ve been hiding under FOR YEARS.

Dear, Fresh Life Body Lotion ($23 for 10.1 oz.) and Fresh Life Body Oil ($48 for 3.3 oz.), thank you leveling up my after-shower scent game.

WARNING: The bright lemon and toasty brown sugar notes may tempt you or anyone in your immediate vicinity to nibble on your forearm (side note: neither of these are classified as edible). Yes, that sounds Hannibal Lecter-y, but hopefully nobody will cannibalize your limbs.

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Skin Care I’ve Been Testing Lately: Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner, Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion WetForce SPF 50+, and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil

May 25th, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

I’ve been so gun-shy about putting new skin care on my face since my breakout in January. I haven’t wanted to upset the apple cart, but you know how it is… You’re going along, doop-da-doo, and your skin is happy ? for a while, but then it starts acting up in a certain way, and you think, Maybe there’s something new out there that I have to try.

This is a pattern I repeat over and over, LOL! My big things at the moment are 1) that my skin’s been super dry, and 2) that I’ve been looking for a new sunscreen.

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner ($44)

Yup, I’ve been on a rose-scented kick (thank you, Trader Joe)… Can I call this $44 hydrating rose toner life-changing? I’ve only been using it for a couple weeks, so probably not quite yet, but I really dig the scent, which is deliciously rosy but not headache-inducing, and I love seeing the rose petals flit about inside the bottle.

“Tone down pores. Tone up hydration. Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner is a cleansing toner that removes impurities and refines the appearance of pores for a deeply hydrated, healthy-looking, velvety soft complexion. Infused with real rose petals, the gentle formula clears the skin of surface debris, pollution particles, and residual impurities, while leaving it feeling refreshed and prepped for the skincare ritual that follows. It also contains rosewater and rose flower oil to help soothe and nourish the skin, while angelica leaf extract and hyaluronic acid help to retain moisture.”

— sephora.com

Also, I swear that I can hear my cheeks and the corners of my mouth (which have been Sahara-caliber dry as of late) sigh with relief after I use it… Too bad it’s quite expensive.

❤️❤️❤️ 3 out of 5 hearts.

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#FancyLadyThings: $165 Fresh Crème Ancienne Supreme Eye Serum

November 14th, 2017 by Karen 19 Comments

fresh creme ancienne supreme — Fresh Crème Ancienne Supreme

European monks toiled over each and every drop of this $165 (!) eye serum to make it by hand.

BY HAND.

I can’t figure out if that’s marketing creativity at its best, or if it’s just craziness. (Side note: why monks and not nuns?)

#FancyLadyThings is a scandalous (not really) new series where we talk about old money, family intrigue and fancy, high-end beauty products… Or, at least the latter.

Fresh’s new Crème Ancienne Supreme Eye Serum is supposed to do a bit of everything — moisturize, lighten dark circles, and make fine lines look less noticeable. All that good stuff. And it’s supposed to do it for all skin types.

The Fresh fam loves using plant products in their skin care, and this has red ginger and silk tree bark, among other botanicals, and most of the plant extracts and oils appear in the top half of the ingredient list, which is always a promising sign.

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Propanediol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Alpinia Galanga Leaf Extract, Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Siegesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Diglycerin, Polyacrylate-13, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyisobutene, Poloxamer 407, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum (Fragrance), Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Caramel, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Salicylate

The first thing I noticed when I started using this is how moisturizing it is. It’s a heavy-duty hydrating formula, so it’s not like those eye serums that you put on your eyes and you’re like, “What? Did I just splash water on my face?” I feel confident that I can actually skip eye cream when I use this. It’s that moisturizing.

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The Lust List, Vol. 12: Stuff I Kinda Want

June 6th, 2017 by Karen 20 Comments

I realize that there’s absolutely NOTHING lust-inducing about makeup remover. Nothing. But sometimes you just gotta take a break from all the schmexy makeup dreams (I’m talking to you, Charlotte Tilbury), and put stuff on your lust list that, ya know, you actually need.

On that note…

R+Co Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner ($29) — La, la, la! Don’t mind me as I fall deeper into the hole that is my current R+Co obsession! Analog is the brand’s approach to conditioner washing. Technically, it’s called a cleansing foam conditioner, so I’m assuming that it’s light, fluffy and mousse-y. And if it’s anything like the other R+Co products I’ve tried and have fallen head over heels for, it’s probably all sorts of amazing and smells divine.
Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Powder in Golden Glow ($56) — Even though I don’t need another highlighter AT ALL, this one by Dior looks like perfection.
SEPHORA COLLECTION Lavender Foot Mask ($5) — Why? Because I looked down the other day and saw Fred Flintstone’s feet. 🙁
Bioderma Sensibio Make-up Removing Micelle Solution ($14.50) and H2O Wipes ($9.90) — Completely not sexy at all, but I’m running dangerously low on liquid eye makeup remover and makeup wipes. It’s time to restock. I went through a huge bottle of Bioderma a few months ago and used every last drop because it removes everything, including long-wearing mascara and liner. But I’ve never tried the makeup wipes… I hope they’re just as good as the liquid. Have you tried ’em before?
Milk Makeup Flex Concealer ($28) — I’ve been using and loving Sunshine Skin Tint by Milk Makeup, and now I want to try some of their other face products, like their Flex Concealer, which is supposed to be full-coverage and fab.
Fresh Fresh Life Body Oil ($48) — I’ve obviously been living far away from society in a secluded cave somewhere because I had NO idea that Fresh made a Body Oil version of Fresh Life, my favorite scent in the line. Based on the ingredient list, it looks promising. The first five things on the list are oils (sweet almond, sunflower, apricot kernel, jojoba and purple passionflower). Waaaaaant!
Leahlani Champagne Serum ($32) — I’m going to try to track down this face serum while I’m in Hawaii next week. It’s a local brand from Kauai, and their Champagne Serum (“Happy hour for your face”) is loaded with antioxidants to make your skin happy…and I really want to make my skin happy. 🙂
Kate Spade Kasie Sunglasses ($180) — I’m still kicking myself for not buying that pair of black Kate Spade sunnies at Nordstrom Rack a couple weeks ago… The more I think about them, the deeper I slip into the hole of retail regret. Damn! I hope the store restocks them soon. Until then, I’ll just obsess over Kate’s Kasie sunnies.

Got any restocks on your lust list this week? If you do, I’m sure they can’t be as boring as makeup remover, LOL!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I started packing for my trip last night, and so far…I’m not doing very well with the whole “packing light” thing.

Is there some biological leftover from ye olde cavewoman days that fuels the need to bring everything in my suitcase?? I’m trying to be rational about it, but what’s the deal? Why do I have the unrelenting urge to over pack.