Finalizing My Skincare Routine

serum c/o

Taking care of my skin isn't something I have been great at in the past. I have really been focusing on taking care of it from the inside out since thirty is not so far away. At this stage in the game it has been really important for me to consider what I'm putting on my skin, and what preventative measures I'm taking. Given all that information, you can imagine how excited I was when I was given the chance to try and review Radical Skincare's Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum. Now if you have read my blog, you may know that I have loved the other two Radical Skincare products I've tried (read about them here) and have put them into my regimen.

I received the product in May, and have wanted to wait until now to give my honest review after using the product for a while. I am happy to report that just as I assumed I would be, I am thrilled with this product. I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin, and this serum did not agitate it in the least bit. A serum for all skin types seems too good to be true, but it's just that. In the past two months I have noticed my skin tone has evened out (bye bye blotchy patches), skin firmness around jaw and chin has improved, the few wrinkles I have are less defined and have filled out some, and my skin has never felt softer. Typically, a product with such potency contains all sorts of scary ingredients. Not so with Radical Skincare. This serum is free of parabens, sufates, phthalates, but packed full of antioxidants and free radical fighting ingredients.

Truthfully, I cannot say enough good things about the Advanced Peptide Antioxidant Serum. It is a such a great way to revitalize your skin and combat prematuring aging. I have enjoyed using Radical Skincare's products, and loved reaping the many benefits they've provided. You can purchase Radical Skincare's products in their online shop, or at Sephora.


Thanks to the wonderful people at Radical Skincare for sponsoring this post and allowing me to try and review their great products. All opinions are my own.

Let Me Upgrade You

sunnies // curling wand // painting // night cream  
lip balm // wine glass // bag // face brush

I have been in a shopping rut and thus have not made many purchases at all in months. I'm at a transitioning point in my life where I want quality over quantity, and I want my purchases to be an investment in myself and my home. So today's picks are all about upgrading some basics that most of us all already have in some capacity.

First, find the right pair of sunglasses that flatter your face in a classic color and style, you'll thank me. A curling wand may seem a tad frivolous, but your hair is one of the first things people will notice (and who hasn't had awful hair days that ruin everything?). If you're like me you want pretty big loose curls and a crappy cheap curling iron just never quite gets it right. You should feel good about your hair. Real art. Just do it already. Find what you like, buy some, frame it, and enjoy it for years to come. Really good night cream. You don't have to break the bank for this one, but make sure you get a thick cream with anti-aging and moisturizing benefits because let's be honest loves, we're no longer spring chickens. While we are on the topic of skincare, go ahead and purchase that Clarisonic you've been thinking about for 2+ years. Exfoliation is crucial to your skin's appearance not mention it makes your cleanser more efficient. Bite the bullet, add to shopping cart, click checkout, et voila!

Lip balm that actually repairs and treats your lips. Did you know most lip products have ingredients that actually dry your lips out and make you use more of said product? I know it's total crap. Use a good balm and take care of your lips they are one of the first indicators of aging. I wouldn't dare tell you what to drink or how much you should spend on wine, but there comes a point when it's time get yourself a few decent wine glasses. Some for reds, a few for whites, and use them accordingly. Boom, instant civility! Last, but certainly not least. Get yourself a "big girl bag" at least for work/travel. Instantly polish your look with a good quality, sturdy bag that you can proudly take from the office to the nicest restaurant. 

What types of things do you upgrade in your life? Would love to hear how other people "invest" in themselves!

On My Radar

Top Shop Swimsuit // Beach Basket Tote // Supergoop Mineral Sunscreen 
Josie Maran Rosey Mist // Bobbi Brown Beach eau de parfum

Skin Bootcamp

Exfoliating Pads c/o // Instant Revitalizing Mask c/o

Something I have been fairly vocal about is my desire to be better to my skin. I made it one of my resolutions this year, and it really is a goal I have consistently worked at. Like most women, I do battle the occasional breakout but since they are typically hormonal it's a reactive game rather than a proactive one. 

At 28, I'm starting to think about other issues and transformations that my skin is and will be experiencing. I am fairly lucky to not have many lines or wrinkles yet (thank you uber oily skin), but I have lost some of that youthful glow I used to have and my complexion is more uneven than before. Diagnosing my skin issues was the easy part, but choosing my plan of attack was a whole different ball game.With my mission in place you can imagine how excited I was to have the opportunity to try out two products from Radical Skincare (a favorite of Jessica Biel!), the Age-Defying Exfoliating Pads and the Instant Revitalizing Mask. 

I have spent the past two weeks using the products and I am thrilled with the results. The mask is unlike anything I have every used before. Upon application, this rich mask has the most pleasant tingle that really feels like it is opening your pores to deliver nutrients your skin needs for hydration and cell regeneration. I used this twice a week and looked forward to it each time. After about a week, I noticed my skin appeared to have regained some of that healthy glow I had lost. I used the exfoliating pads each night post cleansing and really cannot imagine my nightly routine without them. After just a few days, I noticed my skin feeling firmer and my pore size appeared smaller too (maybe the most exciting part for me). I have super sensitive skin so I really liked that I didn't experience burning or redness. My skin looks and feels the best it has in months, and I look forward to using both products each week.

The Radical Skincare line is now available at Sephora stores and online throughout the U.S. and Canada. Empower yourself and your skin with Radical Skincare.

This review was sponsored by Radical Skincare. All opinions are my own.

A Very Bad Habit

I have a really bad habit. It's been going on my entire life, and although I've wanted to improve upon it for many years I simply haven't. My terrible habit is that I am horrible at taking care of my skin, especially my face. I go to sleep without washing my face or taking my makeup off, pick at blemishes, and probably overuse my Clarisonic. In short, my skin looks dull and very "meh." 

Keeping all of this in mind I went in search of some solution to brighten up my skin and improve it's overall appearance without breaking the bank. While searching on Pinterest, I cam across the Bare Escentuals 7-Day Skin Detox Mineral Brightening Peel and immediately looked into it. What appeals to me is that I use Bare Minerals already so I know how gentle it can be on my sensitive, crappy skin. Also, the $75 price point seemed fairly reasonable compared to high-end products running over $160. I picked the set up over the weekend, and can't wait to try it out (hopefully I'll report back good things!). 

I am really to amp up my skin care regimen so if anyone has suggestions on products they love please send them my way!

Weekly Wants

It's funny what we justify expensive purchases for, and those other things that you always buy on the cheap. I have always been an on the cheap girl when it came to skincare. I have done ok with that in my twenty seven years, but lately I have been thinking that if I am going to make investment purchases shouldn't I include my skin in the scenario too? It's the largest organ we have, and as we get older we have to take better care of it.

I'm pretty lucky I have always been a big SPF advocate so my fine lines and wrinkles are minimal, but I'm not going to have youthful looking skin forever. Today I wanted to share my lust list for skincare products. What's on your list of splurge-worthy products to keep that mug of yours looking good?

1. Mario Badescu Cucumber Lotion

2. La Mer Soft Cream

3. Retinoid Pads

4. Dr. Jart Beauty Balm

5. Skinceuticals Phloretin

Skin Care for Atypical Skin

I can almost never relate to articles, features, or blog posts on skincare. I don't have the pesky dry skin people always lament about. I don't know what it's like to need to "hydrate my face" and I certainly don't reap the benefits of piling on thick luxurious moisturizers. I have oily skin, and on top of my oil slick I have super sensitive skin. Fun combination, I know you're jealous.

I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I do the best job of taking care of my skin. I fall asleep in my bareMinerals, don't always wash off all my mascara, and I probably could clean my makeup brushes more often. What I have figured out is what works well for my troublesome skin without nasty side effects or discomfort.

Daily: I use a Clarisonic face brush to cleanse my face (worth the investment), a mild anti-acne cleanser, and an oil controlling moisturizer with SPF* in it. *Wear the SPF ladies because no one likes wrinkles and melanoma...NO ONE! When I actually take the time to wipe off my makeup I use Cetaphil it works like a charm with no irritation or oily residue.

A Few Times a Week: I like the feel of a gritty exfoliator to loosen up anything building up in my pores and St. Ives Apricot Scrub does the trick every time. After scrubbing, I like to use a very gentle toner to soothe and keep my pores in good shape. If I have already spent that much time on my face, I will typically apply some sort of anti-aging cream preferably for my skin type.

For Unwanted Face Visitors: I really don't appreciate the real estate zits can take up on my face and Mario Badescu's drying lotion is the best and fastest way to get them to close up shop. Yes you will look like a freak when you go to bed with pink dots on your face, but they will be gone or nearly gone the next morning.