Summer Yummies

This is my summer "wish list". Some things I keep eyeing and doing a teeny bit of drooling feminine cooing over.

Etsy: Starry Night Necklace

I could wear this with so many things! I love the simplicity of it. My birthday is mid June, just in case you're interested in knowing! ;) 

Lush Cosmetics "Deep Cleansing Lemon Bar"

I've been wanting to try a shampoo bar. Does anyone have experience or feedback about shampoo bars? If so, let me know in the comment section what you tried and thought of it! These "Lush" shampoo bars look amazing! For summer, I'd want a fresh, light or citrusy scent.

This one doesn't look super fancy, but I'm curious to test it out and see how it performs! "Deep Cleansing Lemon Bar" by Lush- good for sweaty workout hair!

Strawberry Lemonade Nourishing Body Cream by 100% Pure

I don't use scented body lotion rarely, if at all. I most certainly don't purchase it, as most companies put loads of alcohol and chemicals in their lotions! I make my own lotion with coconut oil and a few drops of essential oils from time to time. One body moisturizer I have purchased and would buy again and again is 100% Pure "Vanilla Bean Nourishing Body Cream". It feels so luxurious, smells insanely delicious and keeps my dry skin feeling soft and looking great! For summer, I think I'd go with a different scent, perhaps the "Strawberry Lemonade" or "Blood Orange".

 I am crushing hard on some vintage lace/soft bohemian styles right now. For the past two years or so, I've been OBSESSED with anything lacey or crochet-y. American Eagle has this amazing section online right now called "Beach Whites" in which I love practically every. posted. item. A couple of my favorites:

AE Open Knit Duster Cardi

I can see myself wearing this all summer long! It would be effortless over a pair of bleached cut off shorts and a solid tank. Add a fedora or sun hat plus some shades = Ta da! Instant summer coolness!

AE Shift Dress

This fantastic number would be so cute over a swimsuit or with a little pair of shorts underneath, as it'd be WAY too short on my ginormous delicate 6' frame to wear as a dress. ;)

Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Palette 

Sadly, I gave away a TON of my makeup and beauty products when we moved to Germany at the end of last summer. I could only pack two suitcases for my son and I for two years worth of living, and beauty products obviously don't keep well in storage (ewwwww!) so I gave away or sold the majority of my beauty and skincare products. This Tarte palette looks perfect for summer- some really pretty neutrals for day or night!


What are some of the things you are crushing on for this summer? Share with me!

Slough it off

Now that I'm in my 30's, I do try to purchase skincare products that moisturize well and help with fine lines and such. My personal view on aging and skincare is that it's more about taking good care of my skin at each stage of my life, and not about obsessing or trying to turn back time.

One thing I had recently been on the lookout for was a good peel. I love exfoliating my entire body and feeling/seeing the smooth and soft "new" skin that's revealed when it's complete! I had used scrubs and microdermabrasion type products, but had never used a peel on my own.

After some good time devoted to online research, I decided to try "juice BEAUTY's Green Apple Organic Peel / Full Strength". (It's also available in a sensitive skin formula.) The product comes in a glass jar and looks like this:

 Here is the product description from the juice BEAUTY website:

BRIGHTEN, LIGHTEN, TIGHTEN

Exfoliate with our patented, bestselling, potent alpha and beta hydroxy acid peel that delivers spa grade exfoliation, revealing a brighter complexion while firming the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation for optimum age-defying results.

WHO SHOULD USE IT?

Juice Beauty's GREEN APPLE™ Peel Full Strength is designed for all skin types (except sensitive skin), 20's and up and is effective for hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone and texture.

NOTE: Juice Beauty's GREEN APPLE™ Collection is not designed for very sensitive or rosacea skin due to the alpha/beta hydroxy fruit acids - if you have this type of skin, see Daily Essentials Collection.

BENEFITS

• Evens skin tone and texture with a spa grade exfoliation from a potent patented dose of alpha hydroxy acids (malic, citric & tartaric from organic fruits, glycolic and lactic acids) and beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid from willow bark).
• Reduces hyperpigmentation and dark spots with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids.
• Smoothes fine lines with Vitamin A.
• Fights free radical skin damage with antioxidant-rich resveratrol from grapeseed.
• Nourishes with Vitamins A, C & E for healthy looking skin.

POWERFUL ACTION WITHOUT

Our formulations are made without parabens, petroleum, propylene or butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances. Our products are never tested on animals.

It seems a bit pricey at $45 for a 2 oz 60 ml jar, but in all honesty, for a really good peel product, that's pretty reasonable.

You use this product once a week. Any more than that would irritate your skin. It's best to use this at night before bed, as it does make the skin on your face red. (Please note this product is not for really sensitive skin or skin with problems such as eczema, rosacea, etc.) After washing and patting dry your face, you apply this peel. The instructions say to apply a generous layer. I am not stingy with it, but I also don't glop a ton on, as I like to be a bit frugal! :) The product is easy to apply, and has a pretty thick and slightly grainy texture. You leave it on for about 10 minutes, and the how-to steps DO say to expect some tingling and flushing. This is normal. After 10 minutes, you rinse it off thoroughly with warm water and pat your face dry. 

Conclusion/My thoughts on this product:

-I really like this peel! I have noticed a difference in my skin from using it after only a few weeks. My skin looks brighter and feels a lot softer. I don't see a big difference in fine lines yet, but I'm not sure I will and I wasn't quite expecting to.

-It DOES tingle/feel kinda uncomfortable for a minute or so after applying, but it doesn't hurt. If it does hurt, it's probably too strong for your skin, so I'd advise not using it or trying the sensitive skin formula. 

-I love that this peel is organic and the company does no animal testing.

-I will continue to purchase this peel after running out. (Well, I will BEGIN purchasing it, as this first jar was a Christmas gift from my wish list. Thanks Mom!) ;)

-Some reviews complain about the smell of this, but I enjoy it! It's a citrusy/apple smell and reminds me that the product contains all natural ingredients. I HATE a pretty/perfumed smell in my skincare products, as this typically means it's full of alcohol and ingredients that aren't good for your skin or body. :( Yuck!

I highly recommend this product if you're looking for a good peel- ESPECIALLY if natural and organic products are important to you. And even if they're not. It's just good. :)

So tell me...do you use a peel? Have you tried juice BEAUTY products?  I'd love to hear your feedback!