In more ways than one, living through a pandemic has certainly brought a shift in pretty much all aspects of my life. We all know 2020 was one of the shittiest years OF. ALL. TIME. A global pandemic, racial injustice, a crazy important election year, the list goes on. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t caught up in personal battles as well as the global battles we were all dealing with. I used to be so obsessed with controlling situations, having the highest expectations for those around me, thinking about how others perceived me, etc. And 2020 proved that I just couldn’t keep up with it anymore. I was constantly feeling stressed over things I really couldn’t control. Plus, the uncertainty of the world was enough to send me into a miserable hole. I realized it was time to change my attitude: towards people, places, relationships, friendships, and life in general. Changing your mindset doesn’t happen overnight. It takes practice, patience, and a whole lot of trial and error. I’ve found that a few things work for me when I literally need to snap out of my bad attitude/habits and start fresh. A few ways to change your attitude Breathe — there’s really something to be said about what a few deep breaths can do. Ever since I started doing yoga, I’ve learned the importance of breathwork, and in stressful situations, I always come back to the breathe. CBD — On days where I’m just REALLY lacking a good attitude (mainly due to anxiety), I reach for my Equilibria CBD drops. They are, what I like to call, my instant dose of calm. Taking a drop full of CBD instantly helps calm me down, and allows me to refocus my attention (and attitude) elsewhere. PS: If you’re interested in Equilibria, you can shop here — my code danamannarino will get you 15% off your purchase! Daily Gratitude — When I get home from my morning walk, I sit at my desk and write down one thing I’m grateful for in that very moment. Whether it’s big or small, it always brings a smile to my face. Thinking about things that make you GRATEFUL really helps put life into perspective. Once I write that down, it helps set the tone for a positive attitude. Move your body — If I’m feeling down, I try to get a workout in of some sort. Whether it’s yoga or a full body class, getting your heart rate up reminds you of YOUR POWER, YOUR STRENGTH. Get inspired — Living on the Upper East Side has really brought so much joy and inspiration into my life. Thanks to my daily walks, I’m generally just a happier person thanks to the people I see walking around the neighborhood. Plus, there’s too many cute restaurants and shops — SO MUCH CUTE LIL INSPO!!! Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just have a bad effing attitude, I try to go back to these tactics that pull me out of my funk immediately. Even though they usually don’t change the actual situation or what I can control, I feel a sense of calm…almost like a little reset button. So I hope they help you too, and at the end of the day: YOU GOT THIS!!! photo by allie provost

New year, new lifestyle? I really didn’t want to say that because I very much dislike the “new year, new…” phrase. But hey, if a new year is what I need to give myself a kick in the ass, then so be it. This year, I’m really committing to live an overall healthier lifestyle. I wouldn’t consider myself unhealthy, but I definitely don’t implement many healthy practices. I’m actually fairly lucky to have my genetics in that case, but now that I’m in my 30s, I want to take it more seriously. I took some time to think about what kind of lifestyle I want to life, and then took even MORE time to think about how I’m going to achieve that lifestyle. 7 Ways To Live A Healthier Lifestyle MORE. WATER. This is something I’m trying to be SO mindful of. Before I started being mindful of actually drinking water, I was only mindful of just how LITTLE water I was drinking. Some days I would only drink 1 coffee and a 1 soda. Since I’ve been drinking more water – my skin has felt better, I actually FEEL thirsty so I can drink more (vs. being used to being so dehydrated that I didn’t feel like I needed water). Last week, I took a hot yoga class and didn’t drink a ton of water that day…I felt like CRAP in the class. Two days later, I felt HYDRATED AF…and felt great during the class! So wow, it’s almost like water works;) More yoga Speaking of yoga…we’re getting back into it. During COVID, I was practicing 5 days a week, sometimes more. I was actually in the best shape of my life during that time. While I don’t think I’ll get back to practicing 5-6 days a week, I’m really trying to stick to a schedule of Monday, Wednesday, Saturday. I feel SO incredible (mentally and physically) after a class, so I just need to make sure I’m finding an hour on these days to get to a class. Hot yoga is my absolute favorite – I love sweating more than I would in a regular-temp class! It also feels really great to be part of a little community again. Care/Of Okay this is VERY new to me. I don’t think I’ve consistently taken vitamins ever in my life. Now that I’m an aging 30 year old (*slight sarcasm), I need to take matters into my own hand. I’ve see Care/Of vitamins before, and then I saw Krystal promote them, so I jumped on ordering! I’m a sucker for great packaging and I love that EACH daily packet is personalized. HOW CUTE?! I also love that you take a quiz to figure out just what kind of vitamins you need. For me, I wanted to focus primarily on gut health and digestion (with other factors like living in a city, overall health, and skin coming into play). So I have a pack of 10 vitamins a day that I started taking over the weekend (lol). I will say — they are NOT cheap. I’m not working with them, but they do have a referral program, so you can get 50% off your first order ! Will absolutely report back over the next few weeks and months! Meditation I’ve talked about this app a few times on Instagram and in my newsletter. The Superhuman app is, in my opinion, one of the easiest ways to live a healthier lifestyle. The concept of meditation was really hard for me. I thought you needed to be 10000% completely tuned in and transform your thoughts. And it’s kind of the opposite — it’s just another way of thinking, another way to be mindful, and I love that! So even when your mind wanders, that’s okay! As long as you can find the way back to the meditation, that means you’re doing it! I’m currently doing the 21 Day Challenge and it’s really been helping me stay on top of my intentions for the year. Less consumption I recently read an article that described the information we consume as an IV drip directly to the back of my brain. And when you put it like that, it makes so much sense…and not in a good way. I used to turn the news on as soon as I woke up because I 1. Liked to stay informed and 2. Liked the background noise. But let’s face it, the news is depressing. I’m always the person who thinks the worst case scenario. So to constantly consume the news cycle just isn’t what I should be doing. I feel like I would know if something major or important happened…but I feel like today’s society has really gotten us used to ALWAYS CONSUMING SOMETHING. I’m trying to keep up with sources like Mosheh and The Morning Brew to get SOME kind of daily update, but it’s not something I’m constantly looking for anymore. Reaching for my book over my phone I am ATTACHED to my phone. I pick it up more than I pick up anything else in my life. And I kind of hate it. For a while, I wasn’t even mindful of how much I was reaching for it. But once I noticed, I REALLY NOTICED. And I started really hating that I was just constantly going for my phone. When I think of it like this: There’s absolutely NOTHING urgent on my phone that I NEED to be picking it up that much. But I still do. I fall into the mindless scrolling/checking notifications hole, and it takes This is a habit that is HARD to kick. I’ve been trying to keep my book next to my bed so I can pick that up instead of my phone. Less spending I’ve always been an impulse buyer. If I want something, I’ll buy it. Even if I don’t need it. And I really want to try to do the opposite. For instance, I started making my coffee at home every week day and only buying it on the weekends. I was notorious for skipping Hello Fresh meals and just ordering DoorDash…and I cannot believe how quickly that adds up. So I’m trying to get more into that and cooking 3-4 times a week. I also OVERDID it over the holidays — I was buying anything and everything during the really awesome J.Crew sale. So I’m trying to not buy anything for January because there’s just no need. Plus, everything is Spring forward and I’m not ready to give up my sweaters. I really want to check back in on this post every few months to get myself reacquainted with these actions. What are some ways you’re trying to do to live a healthier lifestyle?!

I didn’t start taking my skincare seriously until I was like 26/27. Maybe even a little later than that. But now that I’m in my 30s, I cannot believe how much attention my skin is needing in the winter. I’ve always had some dry patches here and there, but over the last month my skin has been PAINFULLY dry. I was actually so nervous about it because it was so new to me – so I booked a dermatologist appointment. She was very much like “your skin is just super dry”. I wish there was some magic thing to help, but I’m still going through this journey. I decided to share what I’ve been doing and how I’m seeing some results to keeping my skin hydrated. Tips On Keeping Your Skin Hydrated In The Winter I really had to think about things other than just a “great skincare routine” when it came to keeping my skin hydrated. I think I was really caught up in this because my skin was dull. It was SO itchy and started reacting to almost every product I put on. Oh AND I started noticing more fine lines. After doing some research, here’s what I’ve been doing to keep my skin hydrated. Drink More Water Hydration and water go hand in hand. And that seems to be the thing I forget the most. Our skin NEEDS water to give it strength, elasticity, and that healthy appearance we all strive for. Drinking water doesn’t necessarily hydrate your skin BUT obviously it’s important. It helps the body’s overall processes to support general health. Duh. We all learned this in school at some point, right? To be honest, I don’t drink a lot of water. And I know that’s horrible. I’ve tried everything – I LOVE water, but I just find myself too lazy to drink it. But now that I’m getting older, I definitely notice it – whether it’s duller skin or a massive headache. So yeah, I need to be better about this – I did pick this water bottle with a filter so that I can ALWAYS access water, even if it’s tap. Get A Humidifier Obviously in the winter, you can’t really escape the cold. And it’s generally just so dry in the winter. I started researching, and found that humidifiers can help. I didn’t even think of this when it came to my skin. I just assumed my apartment wasn’t dry? Anyway, I bought these two little humidifiers on Amazon – one for my desk when I’m WFH and one for my nightstand . Skip The Scalding Hot Shower I’m the girl that takes a 150 degree shower. It just feels so damn good. And then I get out and my skin is splotchy and itchy. And obviously dry as hell. So I’m learning to skip the absolute burning part of my nighttime routine, and keeping my showers to a lukewarm temperature. I also have been starting to apply a body serum/moisturizer ( I love this one from Iota Body ) immediately after showering. Look At Your Diet I didn’t want to have to go this far into my research, but just throwing moisturizer on wasn’t cutting it. Foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, and oily fish can have a great effect on the overall hydration of your skin. *Adds omega supplement to cart* Foods with vitamins A, C, and D help maintain a healthy skin barrier to lock in moisture. Obviously processed & sugary things DO. NOT. HELP. Know Your Products Did you know there’s a difference between moisturizing and hydrating?! Because I didn’t. Moisturizing is when you’re using products to seal in moisture of your skin cells. Think hyaluronic acid, ceramides, shea butter, and petroleum jelly. These ingredients help repair your skin’s barrier and prevent water loss. But when it comes to keeping your skin hydrated, you need to go beneath your skin’s barrier. Hydration is what “plumps” your skin cells up. A few weeks ago, I woke up and my skin was SO tight, itchy, and blotchy. It almost felt like I had a sunburn on my face. I knew this wasn’t a good sign, so I immediately went to do my skincare routine. And my skin IMMEDIATELY started reacting to every product. There was no smooth or healthy glow. When I googled if dry skin causes increased redness, I found out it does. So by keeping your skin hydrated, you’ll make any inflammation go down (unless you have something else going on, of course!!). After I made a dermatologist appointment, I learned that there are definitely products I’ve been using that are causing dehydration in my skin. As much moisturizer as I’ve used, overusing ingredients like AHAs and retinols/retinoids are always going to cause that dehydration. I’ve completely stopped using them over the last few weeks, but now I’m starting to learn how to find that perfect balance because I do really love the wonders that some acids and retinols do for my skin. Hyaluronic acid is the big ingredient that we all know about. A good hyaluronic acid has amazing hydrating capabilities (I think I saw a stat that it can hold up to ONE THOUSAND TIMES its own weight in water????). While my derm recommended this, she also mentioned glycerin (described it as a “natural” moisturizer), ceramides and niacinamide. So now I’m on the hunt for products with these ingredients to help keep my skin hydrated. And the last product I’ve been using is Squalane – I mix a couple of drops in with my moisturizer and learned that it helps LOCK moisture into your skin rather than letting it evaporate on top of the skin. Here’s what I’ve been using to keep my skin hydrated post-dermatologist appointment: Gentle cleanse with this from Youth To The People Tower28 SOS Mist CeraVe Alcohol-Free Toner Snail Mucin Essence (while toner/mist are still damp) Barrier Support Serum La Roche Posay Double Repair Moisturizer Add 2-3 drops of face oil or Squalane Love hearing any recommendations you might have on how to keep your skin hydrated in the winter – leave a comment below!

Never thought I’d write a post about how to prolong your dirty hair. This post is sponsored by Waterl<ss. But here we are. I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I’ve been doing the “days without washing your hair” thing since HIGH SCHOOL (I started high school in 2006, by the way). So I’d like to think I’m an expert. Here’s how you can go days without washing your hair. Train Your Hair/Have a Plan I mean I don’t think you can actually “train” your hair, but we’ll just call it that for now. I swear over the last few years, my hair has been less and less oily between my washes. I used to wash my hair every other day, then every two days, and now sometimes I’ll go 3-4-5 days without washing my hair. I remember when I first stopped washing my hair every day, it would be oily on day 2. I always know my hair will look great on days 2 and 3, but by days 4 and 5, I have to get a little creative with what I’m doing with my hair. This usually means low buns, braids, etc. Find Products That Work For You Since I’ve gotten really good at not washing my hair, I’ve tried a ton of different dry shampoos. My latest and greatest? Waterl<ss No Residue Dry Shampoo . I love that just a few sprays of this help to prolong the days between washes. I’ve also been incorporating Waterl<ss’ Weightless Smooth Dry Conditioner as well. I typically use it on days 3/4 when my hair is dull and tangled. My top secret pro tip? Use dry shampoo prior to a workout. This allows for time to absorb the oils. What I really love about Waterl<ss is their origin story! A group of scientists were looking for a way to improve non-wash hair days for a diverse group of hair types. They created products that ACTUALLY clean your hair without using water. Around the same time, Cape Town, South Africa was experiencing a water crisis in 2018. The city of 4 million was just three months away from running out clean water. Waterl<ss tested their products here to give women an option to get clean, fresh hair without using a single drop of water. Make It smell nice I don’t always love washing my hair after a workout (especially if I have plans afterwards). I love that Waterl<ss has these fragrance mists that I easily throw into my gym bag. I’ve actually never thought to use a fragrance mist, but when you think about it…MAKES TOTAL SENSE. Not only does my hair smell awesome even after a few days of not washing it, but it also helps tame frizz and static! photos by allie provost

A look at the beauty, skincare, and self care products I’ve been loving this month! elderberry gummies Not only do these taste delicious, they’re also a natural way to support your body’s immune system. Elderberries are packed with antioxidants and potassium , as well as act as an anti-inflammatory. Now that it’s cold and flu season, I’m trying to prevent getting sick at all costs. I’m trying to do less medicines and more natural things to help my body. apple cider vinegar shampoo I mentioned this shampoo briefly in The Friday Edit a few weeks ago, but wanted to circle back to talk about it more in depth. I’m honestly LOVING this shampoo so far. For a while, I’ve been taking a lot of heat to my hair, so I was excited to learn that WOW helps repair damaged hair. Also, winter is upon us here in New York, and this shampoo helps ease dry scalp. Another great thing about WOW is that it really cleans your hair. Since I don’t wash my hair very often, I love the feeling of a super clean scalp after using this shampoo. And one more thing to note: This shampoo helps with slowing down hair loss! Although this isn’t something I personally deal with, I thought it was such a great talking point – in case you’re dealing with that! welly first aid One day I was at Allie’s apartment and desperately (ok, fine, not desperate) needed a bandaid. She handed me these Welly bandaids and said I could keep them. At first, I thought they were kind of weird because they were in a tin and looked funny. I obviously put one on anyway, and was SO impressed by them. The specific bandaids I used were hydrocolloid pads that seal in moisture to promote faster healing (i.e. keeping out germs and dirt). I also swear these bandaids stuck to you LIKE GLUE. Seriously. And they didn’t get that gross “yeah, I’ve been wearing this bandaid for too long” look. So basically, I’m never NOT going to be wearing these bandaids when I get a cut or blister! There are so many kinds of bandaids and kits you can get – and you won’t believe the price!

One time in high school, I chopped my hair off to my chin. NIGHTMARE. And then I did it again in college. NIGHTMARE PART II. So for the last four years, I didn’t cut my hair once. I was petrified (#dramatic) of the thought of looking the way I did in high school and college. In turn, my hair was dead, gross, and just a lot to work with. Honestly, the decision to cut my hair was very impulsive. I actually saw Carly post about her hair cut on IG Stories, and booked an appointment with the stylist she went to like three days later. I decided to cut my hair for a couple of reasons. I was tired of my long hair I remember taking photos one day recently, and just hated my hair. It was frizzy, it was messy, and the ends were absolutely fried. I found myself wearing my hair up most of the time, and not taking the time to do my hair. I will say the one thing I do miss about my long hair is my long pony tails…that’s kind of my favorite hairstyle. It’s a good way to hit refresh Since I hated how my hair looked in like 102113i21 of my photos, chopping all of my hair off was great for the blog. I like styling my hair, finding new products for my hair, and finally being happy with short hair. I feel so much better when I’m taking photos, and I’m actually wearing my hair down A LOT more to work. This makes me feel like an actual adult;) Stepping out of your comfort zone is a good thing This was definitely a way for me to step out of my comfort zone. Since I was (dramatically) petrified of having another awful hair cut, I jut didn’t do it. When I walked into the salon, I definitely had second thoughts and almost changed my mind. Something just told me to go for it, I wanted a hair cut, and I was going to get it. The second I saw my hair after it was fully styled, I knew I had made the right decision. I walked out of the salon feeling confident AF. So if you’re on the fence about changing your hair, I SAY GO FOR IT. Hair grows back. That’s what I always tell myself. So step out of your comfort zone: Dye your hair blonde, chop it off, or even get the bangs you’ve been wanting for years. photos by allie provost

WHOA. DANA TALKING ABOUT BEAUTY?! SAY WHAT? Yes. It’s true. This is a groundbreaking time here on The Champagne Edit. Yes, it’s true. I’ve decided to start talking about beauty on the blog. Although I’m not an expert by any means, I figured a lot of people can actually relate to that. A few months ago, I decided to start taking my skincare routine seriously. With the help of Linda (my beauty guru), I went out and purchased all of the necessities and just started. Now, I have a new appreciation for skincare, and love getting new products to play around with. I wanted to start The Beauty Edit, as a way to share what I’m loving for the month. I’m also enlisting the help of Elle and Keely (our new intern/friend!). So let’s get to it! DANA’S PICKS Watermelon Sleep Mask This was the first sleeping mask I purchased and tried (again, thanks to Linda ). It goes on SO smooth, feels super refreshing, and legitimately smells like watermelon. It’s really lightweight, so I typically lather it on before bed, let it work its magic overnight, and rinse off in the morning. My skin looks bright and feels smooth in the AM…the perfect boost to my day. Malin + Goetz Revitalizing Eye Gel I was invited to an event a few months ago with Malin + Goetz x AWAY, and was introduced to the Revitalizing Eye Gel . LIFE-CHANGING. No joke. It’s super lightweight, a little goes a long way, and my eyes are definitely less tired looking. Malin + Goetz SPF 30 Face Moisturizer This is a super new to me product. I was invited to another Malin + Goetz event, and was given a swag bag full of the newest product launch…and this classic SPF 30 Moisturizer . ELLE’S PICKS When I asked Elle what her picks would be, she literally responded “ALL THE FIRST AID BEAUTY”. So there’s that. Oh and then there’s this Depuffing and Firming Concentrate . Sign me up. KEELY’S PICKS A little something, something for your cheeks. This sun serum. A good nude lip color. Turn on your JavaScript to view content Would love to know your thoughts on The Beauty Edit! Please let us know if you have any suggestions and/or any recommendations!

As I got into my mid 20s, I really started appreciating skincare. Now that I’m in my 30s, I notice a difference if I go even ONE day without my skincare. I feel like I have my morning and night routines down to a T, and there are products that are absolute staples. These are skincare products you’ll want to buy in bulk – unless you live in a 600 sq. ft. apartment like me. But let’s be honest, that hasn’t stopped me yet. So let’s get into it, shall we? Skincare Products You’re Going To Want In Bulk Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel Cream Okay let’s kick off with one of my favorite skincare products. This moisturizer came highly recommended on Instagram a few months ago, and I’m SO glad I picked it up. I’ve now stocked up three times on this product (both Rob and I use it). This moisturizer has become my every day (layered under the Sunday Riley CEO Brightening Moisturizer ) one. I really feel like it moisturizes my skin SO well. It also feels nice and cool on your skin, and I love waking my face up with it! Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream OOOOH WEEEE, I love this cream . I had it in my cart for a long time, and finally bought it once I needed a new night cream. The first thing I noticed was a little goes a LONG way, and I love that. This small jar is going to last me a while! This botanical face cream visibly increases that plumpness we all want…WHILE WE SLEEP. Waking up after the first night of using the cream , I noticed I wasn’t waking up with dry patches around my cheeks and chin. That was my first green flag – improvement after ONE use! Some notable ingredients are omega fatty acids, botanicals, and Squalane (which you’ll see again later). I also want to point out the texture of the cream – it’s whipped into this lightweight, and for lack of a better term, cloud like texture. It feels pretty thick on, but absorbs nicely into the skin! First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner I’m almost done with my f irst bottle of this toner , and I’m definitely buying more. I believe this is an underrated product. I use this right after cleansing to help give my skin some additional cleanse, and then it helps soothe, soften and moisturize my skin. I always think of toner as the prep step — after using, my skin is ready to absorb my serums, oils, and moisturizers. Farmacy Filling Good Hyaluronic Acid This product was gifted to me, and it’s very good. I just finished the bottle, and it’s already in my cart for my next Sephora run. I started using a hyaluronic acid last year, and definitely love the added hydration. This serum helps plump the skin while hydrating and smooths the look of wrinkles. If you’re concerned with fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, and elasticity…this product is for you! I love the lightweight formula, it feel SO nice on my skin. I definitely notice my skin feels more hydrated and smooth. This serum also absorbs really well into my skin, which is always an added bonus! The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane Since dryness has been the bigger concern for me over the last few months, I wanted to add more hydration products into my routine. I started researching products for dryness and found this from The Ordinary – I actually had used their hyaluronic acid , but started using the Farmacy one once my bottle was done. This isn’t my first product from the brand. I actually own quite a few of their products. I think they’re INCREDIBLY reasonable in terms of prices. But Squalane is an exceptional product for hydration, so this is something I’m definitely going to purchase over and over again. I’ll admit, the first few minutes of putting this on, I was a little nervous about how oily my skin looked like. BUT, that subsided once it absorbed into my skin and especially after ice rolling. I wake up with significantly more hydrated skin as opposed to when I didn’t use this product. The love I have for some skincare products might seem weird, but when you find skincare products that make you love your skin…there’s nothing better! These products have really helped me love my skin and address the concerns I have. What are some of your hero skincare products?

Smooth lips are something we all strive for, right? Maybe just me? Well anyway, over the last few weeks, I’ve been testing out a lot of lip balms for “research purposes”. And yes, I love using my blog for these types of purchases, because they’re obviously V. IMPORTANT. It’s our lips we’re talking about people!!! Not only are chapped lips annoying, but I’m also super prone to cold sores. If my lips are chapped for more than a couple of hours, I know I’m going to get a cold sore. Let’s keep going so we can see which lip balm is my favorite. ( Do I even have a favorite?! ) MY HONEST REVIEWS OF TRENDY LIP BALMS Summer Friday Lip Butter Balm I didn’t think I was going to love this lip balm if we’re being honest. When I originally went to Sephora to buy it, it was sold out at the location, so I knew it must be at least DECENT. I didn’t actually know too much about the balm, so when I did some online research, I was a little skeptical of it because it was pigmented – I was really just looking for something to make my lips nice ‘n smooth. The Vanilla wasn’t available, so I went with the next best option – Vanilla Beige. Definitely a glossy finish, but I do like that it doesn’t appear as a color on my lips. While I like this one (I do love the applicator though),I find myself grabbing other lip balms. Rating: 3/5 Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment I remember when Rhode Beauty first came out and everyone went nutty. I had heard good things about the peptide lip treatment , so I kept an eye on it to order when it was back in stock. The only flavor that was available at the time was the Watermelon Slice. When I tell you IT SMELLS AND TASTES EXACTLY like a watermelon, I mean it. At first, I thought it was a bit too sticky, but now I’m thinking it’s because my lips were just dry and icky. Now I find myself reaching for it – mainly because I keep this by my nightstand. It definitely has a high gloss finish, so keep that in mind. Rating: 4/5 Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm This is actuallywhat started my lip balm craze. Once I tried the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm , I wanted to see what other brands had to offer. I had picked this up during a random trip to Sephora. I loved the packaging, and for whatever odd reason, I was into the larger swivel stick ( spoiler alert: look at the next lip balm ). This balm is definitely more of a traditional balm. No noticeable sheen on your lips, so that was a plus for me. And it DEFINITELY keeps your lips hydrated. I usually keep it on my entry table so I can throw it into whatever bag I’m using for the day. Rating: 4/5 Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm I think I was watching Summer House and saw someone using the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter lip balm . I’m 99.9% sure I immediately ordered a 3-pack from Amazon . This brought me back to my younger days. I’ve always loved Palmer products – I’m not sure why. Maybe my mom kept the cocoa butter in our bathroom? But I for sure remember using their lip balm as well. Although they look like a straight up glue stick, the delicious smelling cocoa butter product feels like a velvety kiss on my lips. AND I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. I’m giving it a 4/5 because I do feel like I need to reapply constantly – but I think that’s because I just love the smell so much. Rating: 4/5 Laneige Lip Glowy Balm When I saw the Summer Friday balm was sold out, I looked for a brand alternative and spotted this one from Laneige. I’ve raved about some other products by Laneige before on the blog, and I’m pretty sure I was an OG user of the infamous lip sleeping mask . This lip balm was another one I heard great things about. But again, I was skeptical about the pigmented options. I picked what I thought would tint my lips the least — the peach flavor . (As I did more research, I realized I probably would have been okay with any of the options.) I keep this one in my bag for the office. I will say I don’t feel like it lasts very long, so I do need to keep it around in order to continue to apply. Rating: 3/5 Fenty Plush Puddin’ Wow. Just wow. That’s really all I can say. My friend, Ailsa , and I were talking about lip balms and she told me I NEEDED to pick up the Fenty Plush Puddin’ balm . It was sold out when I originally went to purchase it, but man am I happy I snagged this. So if you’re reading this and it’s still sold out – keep an eye on it ( Fenty’s website has re-stock notifications ). My first impression was “eh I don’t love the applicator”, but once I put it on, I was sold. I still don’t LOVE the small hole and the large tube, BUT it’s a small peeve because this stuff is good. Really good. I will say it is THICCCCCCCCCCCK. So a little goes a long way. A really long way. This is strictly my night time lip balm: I keep it on my nightstand, apply as needed before bed, and in the morning I STILL wake up with product on my lips. Rating: 5/5 PHEW, you still with me? Do any of my reviews shock you? Are there any products you’re excited to try?!

While I’m definitely not a beauty junkie or guru, I’ve really learned to appreciate a good skincare routine. I used to severely complain about my skin being dry, flakey, oily at times, and uneven. And wanna know why that was? Because I was too lazy to invest in a good skincare routine. I literally barely washed my face with soap and water. Uh huh. I’ll admit that. I started getting into a routine in 2018 . Since then, I really tried to find products that worked for my skin. I’ve tried a bunch, loved a bunch, and hated a bunch. A lot of money was spent, but I think it was all for good reason — to keep my skin looking and feeling great. Another honesty moment: I never really cared about clean beauty products. I’ve always just purchased whatever I thought would be good for my skin. Here’s where Beautycounter came in. I think I first heard of Beautycounter from Ashlee. I looked into products, but ultimately never purchased anything. When I went to Nantucket last summer, I stopped by their shop and really took a look at their products. I ended up only purchasing the Dew Skin because I was obsessed with that dewy look. And that was the end of that. I really had a decent skincare routine down. Spending more time at home during COVID, and prioritizing self-care, I realized I wanted to change up my routine, and incorporate safer products. I decided to join as a Beautycounter consultant for 2 reasons: 1. Mainly because I wanted a 25% discount, and 2. Because I share products with my audience anyway, so I figured I could do that too if I liked it. Since there’s zero commitment (and it’s not an icky MLM), I figured there was no risk at all. I’ve since stopped doing the consultant, but still use my Beautycounter products! nightly skincare routine I started my clean skincare journey by purchasing the Countermatch Regimen Set , and some other products that fit within my usual routine. Below is my step-by-step nighttime skincare routine with all of my new Beautycounter products! Countermatch Refresh Foaming Cleanser This foaming cleanser is perfect for removing face and eye make up, washing away impurities, and leaving your skin glowing. Since the FIRST time I washed my face with this cleanser, I knew it was going to become a favorite. My skin was INSTANTLY smoother and it didn’t feel tight or dry. I use this cleanser every night and in the morning! Countermatch Hydra-Gel Radiance Toner If you asked me a year ago what a toner does…I probably wouldn’t have been able to answer. Think of toner as a prep step. Toner removes any last traces of dirt and impurities that are stuck in your pores after cleansing. This is actually the first toner I’ve used that was gel-based, and I really love the way my skin feels after. I use 1-2 pumps on a cotton pad, and apply to my clean, dry face. It doesn’t feel me leaving sticky, and I love that it not only helps with my pores, but also leaves my skin feeling hydrated. I let that sink in for a couple of minutes before moving onto my next step. Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence Ok so an essence is ALSO another product that I bought on the fly without actually knowing what it does for your skin. I’ve been using essences in my routine for a little over a year, and can definitely say they’re like magic. I don’t know HOW or WHAT they actually do…but my skin feels better. Apparently essences are slightly more beneficial than toners, and provides your skin with vital nutrients — and this one certainly feels instantaneous. The hydrating formula leaves my skin feeling radiant and ready for the next few steps I have in my routine. This particular essence is milky, lightweight, and feels really relaxing on the skin. Dime Hyper Glow Serum Described as an “antioxidant powerhouse”, this serum has Vitamin C and other things that are good for your skin;) There’s also Vitamin E, which helps boost a natural defense against oxidation caused by pollution, toxins, and other environmental stressors (AND HELLOOOOO I NEED THAT IN NEW YORK CITY). I noticed after about two weeks of use that my skin looks brighter and more supple. No, I’m serious — Rob always looks at my skin and says, “You have supple skin”…and now HE started using it! Dime Hyaluronic Acid I didn’t know my skin needed hyaluronic acid until I started using it. This replenishing serum helps quench thirsty skin — and boosts bounce by delivering intense hydration when it’s needed the most. This 100% hyaluronic acid serum tailors itself to fit the hydration needs of ALL skin types! I’ve noticed it plumps my skin almost immediately! Using it with the Hyper Glow serum has done WONDERS for my skin. Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream This might be my favorite product. I’m ALL for a good moisturizer. This overnight cream helps create a protective layer to shield skin from moisture loss during sleep. The advanced formula replenishes hydration and revitalizes skin with a blend of hyaluronic acid (one of the most effective hydrating ingredients), squalane (draws moisture into the skins/restores elasticity), and plum oil (provides nutrients for vibrant skin). Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream And finally…an eye cream. I had been neglecting an eye cream for a few months because I had finished one of my previous products. I was really happy that the Countermatch Regimen Set had this eye cream in it! This lightweight cream is perfect for the delicate eye area. AND THAT IS ALL SHE WROTE!!! My simple, yet somewhat lengthy (I mean, it only takes like 10 minutes tops) nighttime skincare routine. I’m SUPER happy with how my skin has been looking and feeling. I also just feel better knowing that I’m using clean beauty products. It also is important to me to share these kinds of products with YOU since I want to make sure you’re also putting good things on your skin. Honestly, my morning routine kind of looks the same, except I add SPF and a lighter moisturizer ! What does your night time beauty routine look like?