skincare Archives - Floradise

02/13/2019

5 Recent Amazon Favorites

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I was never a frequent Amazon shopper until my husband signed up for Prime. Now I purchase necessities on Amazon regularly to take advantage of the fast shipping in Chicago. Today I’m sharing my favorite lifestyle purchases for baby, beauty and more.

OXO Tot Bottle Brush: What makes this a nice baby bottle brush is that it comes with a nipple cleaner and stand. It’s also white so it matches any decor. I recommend this if you have a little one!

Car Phone Mount Holder: A phone holder is a necessity in Chicago because it’s illegal to drive and hold a phone to your ear, not to mention it’s convenient when using navigation on your phone. This one mounts on either the dashboard or the windshield, and we find that the suction holds up nicely.

Fleece Lined Leggings: I just needed some comfortable black leggings that also keep me warm and aren’t too thin. These are super affordable and are comfy around the waistband. I like that they are high-rise; the higher the better in my book!

Jojoba Oil: I started using this oil as a moisturizer recently and I love it! It’s more affordable to use oils such as jojoba and rosehip than to use expensive skin-care products, and I have noticed many of the same benefits!

Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat: I have an easier time cleaning my brushes since using a mat. This one has suction cups so you can keep it in place with cleaning your brushes. It’s affordable and I like the color! It also comes in pink and purple.

What are your current Amazon favorites? I plan to do a separate post on baby and toddler purchases. Let me know if that’s something you’d like to see!

01/05/2018

Nighttime Essentials and Routine

Nighttime Routine and Bedtime Essentials

Recently I’ve been working on establishing a solid nighttime routine to ensure I get the best night’s sleep possible while I can before our baby arrives. I want to make sure I’m as comfortable as possible during my pregnancy, a goal I plan to carry on after baby as part of my self-care routine. I find that this bedtime routine has been working well so far and helps me wind down after some busy days lately. First I’m sharing my nighttime essentials, followed by the evening routine I’ve been loving. If you, too, have an established end-of-day routine please share it with me in the comments!

My nighttime essentials and bedtime routine:

Belly butter
Castor oil
Lip balm
Lip scrub
Body lotion
Water bottle
Diffuser
Cleanser and facial spray
Denture cleaner tablets (for my Invisalign)
Yoga mat
Bath bombs/bubble bath
Face masks
Massager
On my wish list: a pregnancy pillow

My get-ready-for-bed routine:

My nighttime essentials help me regain my clarity, balance and overall sense of well-being at the end of the day. I use them in my bedtime routine, which varies in terms of order, but in general consists of:

I often soak in the tub while listening to a self-improvement book on Audible. Lately it’s been “You Do You” by Sarah Knight. If I’m not taking a bath/soak, I like to shower after any sort of workout (or just because) while playing a book.

I then put on comfortable pajamas and apply my belly butter and lotion. I want to start using castor oil again for specific areas (cyst, stretch marks, eyelashes).

I take off my contacts and start wearing my glasses.

I take out my Invisalign and drop a denture cleaner tablet into warm water. I soak them for about 30 minutes before bed. I also brush my teeth and floss.

I wash my face and use my skin care products. Sometimes I use a face mask.

I use lip scrub and lip balm.

I fill my water bottle/glass and place it next to the bed.

I often take a look at my planner and see what I have going on in the morning. This helps me mentally prepare to get out of bed on time on days when it’s absolutely crucial and it lets me know when I can sneak in some extra Z’s. I don’t find this to be absolutely essential, though.

I write in a journal (or two). I am still experimenting to find what works for me. One journal is a gift I want to give; the other is a sort-of bullet journal that I am figuring out how to use. In recent months I jotted down a daily gratitude but I stopped during the holidays. I know for sure I want a brain dump page for all my ideas and random thoughts, but the rest of my journal spreads are up in the air at the moment.

A goal this year is to also do some yoga poses before bed every night (if I didn’t already go to a class). I don’t always do this, but I also want to get back into using a meditation app or doing it on my own, perhaps after listening to my book. Lately I’ve been using our neck and shoulder massager on my lower back and neck if not already stretching or doing yoga.

Lastly, I add oils to my diffuser and turn it on.

Goodnight!

Why is a nighttime routine important to me?

I haven’t always followed a routine before bed, but I have found that an established nighttime ritual has helped me wind down, decompress and prepare for the next day. Relaxing has helped me achieve better quality sleep, which is important since I don’t always get the quantity of sleep I’d like, and that quantity is only going to go down when our baby girl is born. I’ve learned that a solid night routine is the basis for a productive and more zen morning as well. Do you agree?

What does your nighttime routine look like? What are your essentials?

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12/04/2017

Cruelty-Free Beauty Haul

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In an effort to feel like myself again after my first trimester, I allowed myself to buy some new makeup last month. Thanks to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales I was able to pick up some makeup and skin care products at great prices while shopping for other people. I’ve wanted some of these for quite some time, so I was really excited to treat myself! Win, win! Here is my recent cruelty-free beauty haul:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit, Sun Dipped: I bought this for $24 (regularly $40) on Black Friday while purchasing some gifts. I’ve had my eye on this for a long time and I decluttered my other highlighters so I feel good about this buy. I don’t currently see this on sale but keep an eye out!

Cruelty-free makeup haul, including ABH Glow Kit in SunDipped.

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Hand & Body Lotion: I wanted a cocoa butter lotion and I love this! It smells so good and keeps my skin soft and hydrated. This wasn’t really on sale, but it’s already an affordable product.

Cruelty-Free Beauty Haul, including Alba Botanica Hawaiian Hand and Body Lotion.

Tarte Clay Play Face Shaping Palette: This was on sale for $18 and I needed new bronzing powder, so I bought it. It smells nice and I like having basic matte staple eyeshadows in my collection. Note: I’m not sure how long the sale will last, but it’s currently marked down at Macy’s.

e.l.f. Blush Palette: I’ve wanted this for a long time and it’s so affordable, yet I never bought it until I used up my other blushes. I also bought the Flawless Face Brush and a small Crease Brush.

Colourpop Tapered Blending Brush: I love this brush! It works great with my eye shape and helps me apply eyeshadow much better than other affordable brushes I have.

Cruelty-Free Makeup Haul, including Tarte and e.l.f.

Mario Badescu Skin Care Hit Refresh Set: I saw this $12 trio while gift shopping and had to have it. I’ve wanted to try more Mario Badescu products for some time, and so far I love each of these.

Cruelty-free Beauty Haul, including Mario Badescu Hit Refresh Set for only $12!

Did you treat yourself to anything recently? Did you score any deals? Let me know what you bought in the comments!

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11/20/2017

Cruelty-Free Beauty Wish List | Gift Ideas

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If you’ve been following this blog for the past couple of years, you know that I have slowly transitioned to cruelty-free makeup and skincare. When I think of gifts for makeup-loving friends and family, I tend to stick to cruelty-free as well. Today I’m sharing the products that are on my radar/wish list this year in hopes of inspiring some holiday gift ideas! Some of these are popular items that I STILL haven’t tried.

TATCHA 4-Piece Discover Set: I would love to try out this brand. I have heard rave reviews and the packaging speaks to me. I also found a $27 bestsellers mini set with different products, including the dewy skin mist, at J.C. Penney online, but it’s currently sold out.
Tarte Shape Tape: Can you believe I still haven’t tried this? I have been trying drugstore concealers and haven’t allowed myself to buy more than one concealing product at a time. I’m hoping I get a gift card to use toward buying this. *hint, hint*
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick: I used to use only high-end foundation, but for the past two years I’ve only used drugstore. Every single person I have seen use this looks flawless, and I really want to try it!
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Liquified Lip Set: I had my eye on a Bite Beauty set last year but never took the plunge. Perhaps I shall treat myself to this set over the holidays.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trio: A favorite Youtuber I watch loves this set, and every time I see it I think about how pretty it looks. I am almost out of the blushes I am trying to use up, and I would love to replace them with a blush palette. I’d be set for a long time! I think the coral in this ABH set is gorgeous!
Tarte Limited Edited Blush Bazaar Amazonian Clay Blush Palette: With this set I would good for a looong time. I would have every blush color I could ever want or need and it might be good for travel. Also, the packaging is so pretty!

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Note: When it comes to cruelty-free brands, it’s best to do your own research regarding animal testing and decide for yourself which brands you want to support. Some cruelty-free brands are owned by larger companies that might not be cruelty-free.

08/14/2017

Cruelty-Free Empties, Vol. 10

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While switching to cruelty-free products has been a challenge, it’s been fun to try different products and brands. It’s also been satisfying to try to use up entire products rather than buy too many of the same product at once. I am trying to be minimalist in my makeup and skin care while still experimenting with new products. My latest round of empties features all fairly affordable products, a couple of which were sent to me to try. The rest are favorites I’ve recently discovered. This latest roundup shares my thoughts on the products I’ve used up and whether I would repurchase them.

Physicans Formula Butter Bronzer ($14.99): I love the way this smells, but sadly it’s too light for me. I would highly recommend this if it works with your skin tone! It lasted me a year! I would repurchase if Physicians Formula made a slightly darker version. Please leave your favorite bronzer recommendations in the comments below!

Yes To Grapefruit Single Use Sheet Mask ($2.50): I really liked this mask. I try to use a sheet mask once every week or two weeks. This one is affordable and doesn’t irritate the skin. I would buy this again.

Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm ($3.99): My favorite lip balm ever. I already have backups in my purse.
Madam C.J. Walker Brassica Seed Oil (sample size; $26 for full size): I loved the scent of this oil, which I received for free from Influenster for testing purposes months ago. It left my hair silky and smooth. I already have another oil to use up, so I won’t be buying this anytime soon, but if you’re in the market for oil for your hair, this one was great.
e.l.f. Mint Maniac Lip Exfoliator ($3.90): I used this every night before bed. I haven’t had dry, cracking lips in a long time, and this could be why. It has a minty flavor and it’s affordable. I would buy the brown sugar one instead because I might like the flavor/scent more. I also heard Lush has a good lip scrub, but I haven’t tried it yet.
L.A. Girl Pro Coverage Liquid Foundation ($8.99): I loved how good my skin looked in this, but if you’re oily it could definitely be too much. I would buy this again, especially in the winter when I want a faux luminous look to my skin. (Update: After using the Milani foundation I bought after this I definitely want to go back to this one sooner.)
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($12 for mini): I didn’t find this to be as life-changing as people say. I like the bristles, but it wasn’t as volumizing as I thought it would be. I plan to buy the full size if I don’t like the new one I have. (I am now trying the Essence Lash Princess mascara and I like it so far.)

Not Your Mother’s Way to Grow Shampoo ($4.84): I don’t look for much in shampoo except that it’s cruelty-free, affordable, smells good and cleans my hair. This does all of those. I feel like my hair has looked good the past couple of months that I’ve used it, so I already repurchased the shampoo.
Not Your Mother’s Double Take Dry Finish Texture Spray ($6.99): I thought I was buying hairspray when I picked this up. I liked this for texture but I didn’t get much hold out of it. I bought the hairspray from NYM instead.

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner in Rose Petal ($10.95): I love Thayers and have already repurchased this gentle toner. It lasts for months. I decided to try the cucumber next, which I regret. I will probably go back to the lavender or rose petal after this bottle.
Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Cleanser ($10): I’ve said this before, but this is my favorite cleanser. I have gone back to this after every other cleanser I’ve tried.

Note: These prices were accurate at the time this post was written, but they may change and they depend on the retailer you buy from!

What products have you used up recently? Would you buy them again?

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07/05/2017

Cruelty-Free Beauty Empties, Vol. 9 (Plus Makeup Decluttering)

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I recently went through my (small) makeup collection and decluttered some items, which I plan to give to someone who would like them. This reminded me that I also have five empties to share! These makeup and skin-care items are all cruelty-free and fairly affordable, and most of them are winners.

My most recent cruelty-free beauty empties:

Mario Badescu Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream ($18): I liked this a lot. It kept my eye area moisturized and soft. I noticed my concealer looked great over it as well. I haven’t repurchased this yet but I plan to buy it soon. It doesn’t do anything for dark circles or under-eye bags, in case you’re wondering.

Mask of Magnaminty ($15): I have written about this many times before, so I won’t say much about it. In the past my skin was becoming too sensitive to it, but this time I didn’t feel anything out of the ordinary. I plan to trade in my five empties from Lush to get a new mask. I like to switch off between this one and Cup ‘O Coffee.

Pacifica Dreamy Youth Day and Night Face Cream ($15): At first I thought this was making my skin greasy and break out, but I was wrong. I started using it as my daily moisturizer after a mini break and I liked it. I wish the packaging were a bit better, though; it could be more efficient and less wasteful. I already purchased this again. After that I may use the Confidence in a Cream by It Cosmetics, which I also liked.

Milani Supreme Kohl eye liner: I liked the pigmentation and packaging, but this eyeliner smudged on me every single time, and it didn’t take long. I would not buy this again. I plan to try the Lottie London felt tip liner, which I have heard positive reviews about.

Milani Prime Perfection Face Primer ($5.89): I have written about this primer before, which I compared to one by Wet ‘n Wild. I liked the scent and the feel of the primer. I have gotten many compliments on my makeup lately, and I believe it’s the combination of this primer and the LA Girl foundation I’ve been using. I plan to repurchase this primer.

Makeup decluttering:

I am giving these makeup items to a family member I know will like them. Most of these were only used once or twice, and one of them is not open.

Colourpop Ulta Satin Lip in Panda: I just don’t wear it often at all. There’s nothing wrong with the shade.

Too Faced mini blush in Love Hangover: Again, I don’t use this.

e.l.f. Bronzer and highlight duo: It was sent to me to try and I just don’t wear it that much. When I did wear them, it was on my eyes.

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer in Medium/Deep: It smells amazing, but I don’t use it.

Tarteist Lip Paint mini in Birthday Suit: This was free. I don’t have an issue with the formula; the color makes me look washed out.

Burt’s Bees Mango lip balm: This isn’t opened. I just prefer the original.

Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Hammered: I thought this was going to be more green when I ordered it. I don’t have a use for this and only wore it once.

Wet ‘n Wild Come Correct Celebrity Concealer ($3): This was terrible, too tacky and not the right shade. I wouldn’t call this an empty because I couldn’t even use it. Good thing it wasn’t expensive! This one is being discarded.

What products have you been using up? Did you enjoy them?

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05/31/2017

May Favorites & a Miss

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Milani Prime Perfection primer; Thayers Witch Hazel toner; Busy Beauty Showerless Shave Gel

I hope your May was full of fun, food and favorites! I have five recent beauty favorites to share that I’ve been using and loving this month. Bonus: They are all cruelty-free and affordable. Also, I am almost completely cruelty-free with my makeup! I only have one non-cruelty-free mascara, brow product and lipstick to use up before my (small) makeup collection is entirely composed of products not tested on animals. I have been working toward this goal for more than a year now, and I am excited to finally get there.

And now, May’s favorites:

Busy Beauty Showerless Shave Gel ($21.97 for two pack): This shave gel doesn’t require water, so you can shave wherever! This is especially handy when you’re in a hurry, hence the name Busy Beauty. You simply rub in the excess gel as you would a moisturizer. It’s also cruelty-free and vegan. It has eucalyptus, tea tree, clove, ginger and oat essential oils in it, and it’s also paraben- and alcohol-free. (This was sent to me by Busy Beauty to try out.)

Busy Beauty Showerless Shave Gel and Preserve Shave 5 razor.

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Rose Petal ($10.95): I’ve tried and loved the Lavender toner, so I wanted to try the rose-scented one. I love it just as much and it’s a regular staple in my skin-care routine. I like that it’s gentle and never harsh. Also, one bottle lasts me several months.

Not Your Mother’s Way to Grow Long & Strong Shampoo (about $5): I was looking for a new shampoo after trying several cruelty-free products that had scents I didn’t enjoy. I knew after the first use that I would like this. Scent is super important to me along with cleaning my hair.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Conditioner (about $5): I like the scent of this NYM product as well. It does the job it claims to do. Also, it doesn’t weigh down my long hair.

Milani Prime Perfection Primer ($9.99): This primer is both hydrating and slightly pore minimizing, in my experience. It feels like a moisturizer in that it hydrates as you rub it in. I have compared this to the Wet ‘n Wild Coverall primer in my past; they are extremely similar, except this Milani primer has a better scent.

A miss:

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Detox Cleanser: I wanted to like this. It was an affordable Marshalls find that drew me in with the Hawaiian reference. It does the job of cleansing and it is gentle, but I simply hate the scent. It reminds me of the mildew smell of clothes left in the washer for too long. I’m using it up because I hate wasting products, but I’ll be repurchasing my trusted Pacifica face wash soon.

What products are you using and loving? Share them with me in the comments!

05/19/2017

Recent Cruelty-Free Empties, Vol. 8

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It’s been a hot minute since I shared what cruelty-free products I’ve been using up and whether I would buy them again. Even though I have certain products I love, I am always trying new beauty products to see if there’s something out there I’d love even more. Sometimes I go back to the tried-and-true favorites, but other times I find something awesome to recommend.

Here’s how recent empties fared:

Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash. I keep trying other cruelty-free cleansers but I come back to this one. It is gentle, has a lovely fragrance and gets the job done. Also, it’s relatively affordable. I will continue to buy this.
Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser. I tried this in February and March. While I had no major complaints, I didn’t love it as much as my Pacifica face wash. The scent is not my favorite, either. I would not repurchase this.
e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer. I received this in an Influenster Vox Box. While I also had no complaints besides the packaging that makes it seems as though you get more product than you actually do, I don’t think this is anything that impressive. It’s a nice base for your foundation but I love other drugstore cruelty-free primers more. I would not repurchase this.
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I can’t live without this stuff. Maybe someday I will stop losing or washing these in my laundry. I have already repurchased this.
Wet ‘n Wild Coverall Primer. This is a great primer. It’s been my go-to along with the Milani Prime Perfection Face Primer; they are basically the same thing, except the Wet ‘n Wild one costs less. I actually received this as a free gift with a purchase a few months ago. The Milani one has a slightly better scent, but they are nearly identical. They both look great with my go-to foundations lately (Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus and LA Girl Pro Coverage Illuminating Foundation). I would most definitely repurchase this.
Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation cream. My skin was looking clear and healthy during the month or so that I used this along with my other products, but I can’t say I attribute it to this cream. It’s lightweight, but I didn’t enjoy the packaging that much and I did not find this to be a must-have item. I have not repurchased.

Of course, we are all different and what I like may not work for you. I wouldn’t say any of these is terrible, but some didn’t perform as I expected.

What products have you used up recently? Did you love them?

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04/19/2017

Cruelty-Free and Green Products

** This post contains affiliate links. Also, it is your responsibility to check whether products are cruelty-free. That information may change.

In addition to looking for products that are cruelty-free, I was recently inspired to look for those with less packaging and that are more eco-friendly. I have made a few switches lately that I am happy with and wanted to share. This is part of my effort to be more mindful of how much waste I create. Sometime soon I’d love to take a class on making some of my own products such as candles and lotions.

The products I’ve been trying recently:

Tom’s Lavender Tea Tree With Raw Shea Butter Natural Beauty Bar: I had reservations about using bar soap because I had been using body wash for years, but I have no complaints about it so far. (I am the only person who uses it in my home.) It combines one of my favorite scents, lavender, with tea tree and shea butter. Also, there’s no plastic packaging. I use it along with my Eco Tools recycled bath sponge. I find that I use less product because with body wash I tend to squeeze too much out of the bottle, and this costs me less than body washes I had previously been using.

Preserve Shave 5 Razor System: I initially tried Preserve’s cheaper razor and hated it. The blade came off easily and was inconvenient to use. The Shave 5 Razor is a thousand times better. It’s easier to grip and the blade stays on. I ordered my razor in coral, but it comes in six color options. You can recycle the handle with Preserve and it comes in a reusable container that is great for travel. (It’s made from recycled plastic.)

Lush Massage Bar in Hottie. This is great to rub on tired muscles and doesn’t use any plastic packaging. It also leaves the skin soft and maybe a tad oily/silky. The massage bar has a molded side to help with massaging and it smells like vanilla and spices. It doesn’t come in any wasteful packaging when you buy it at a Lush store.

What products have you been using and loving lately?

P.S. If you’re interested in reading about creating a zero-waste kitchen, Not Entirely Perfect has a post on this that I enjoyed.

03/17/2017

Cruelty-Free Empties

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My most recent empties feature new and familiar products to me, but all of them are cruelty-free! I’ve been focusing on self-care recently, especially when it comes to my body and my skin. This round of empties reflects that. Bonus: These products are all affordable!

Miss Spa Brighten sheet mask ($2.99): I have written about how much I like these affordable sheet masks several times; they are a regular part of my skin-care routine.
Wet ‘n Wild Photofocus Setting Spray ($4-5): I liked this drugstore setting spray. It set my makeup in place and made any cakey-ness disappear. I didn’t have any issues with creasing either! I really don’t think it made my makeup last that much longer — at least I didn’t notice a difference. My only complaint is that the spray is a bit strong. I didn’t have to repurchase because I got another for free with a recent Wet ‘n Wild order. Win! Although, I haven’t been using this much yet because I am currently trying out the Milani Make It Last setting spray.
Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths (trio was about $15, sample had 10 cloths): I got a trio set of Ole Henriksen products recently as part of a birthday haul thanks to family. These cloths have a citrus scent (reminds me an Orange Creamsicle) to them that became a bit much for me after a few uses. They were gentle on the eyes and removed most of my makeup, but I am not in love with these wipes.
Dr Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, Eucalyptus & Spearmint (about $4.50): I go through these bags of Epsom Salt regularly. (I probably have used five or six in the past month.) I have had soreness in my shoulder and back, and these help me relax after workouts or after a long day at my desk. I also enjoy the Lavender soak.
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm ($3.99): I cannot live without this lip balm, especially in the winter. I have other flavors but the original is the best. I don’t know why I even bother with the other flavors/scents; it’s the best.
Udderly Smooth Hand Cream (about $3): I got this hand cream as part of a self-care gift from a family member when we brought Victoria home. It saved my skin during this winter! I liked to carry it in my purse.
Lush Hottie Massage Bar (not pictured, $12.95): I bought this on a whim because I found myself at a Lush store in Chicago before brunch with Jessie. I was intrigued by the massage bars, and the Hottie is meant to help sore and tired muscles. It’s shaped with bumps on one side so that you can massage the area. It has a warm, almost spicy scent and the oils (including jojoba) dissolve into your skin, leaving it super soft. I would definitely buy this again.
Lush Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask (about $9): I liked this gentle, moisturizing mask, which also has a bit of a spicy scent. (It contains ginger, fennel, cardamom and turmeric.) I think I prefer the Cup O’ Coffee more, so I may go back to that one, even if I disliked the mess it creates. You really can’t go wrong with Lush masks though.

What products have you been loving lately?

5 Recent Amazon Favorites