From Drab To Fab! Beat The Winter—Skincare—Blues!
By: Heather Hooke
Hey trubeautys!
When you think of fall and winter, you think cozy sweater weather, crisp air, cute new boots, and making memories with your family as you talk harvest festivals and pull out the holiday decor! However, between searching for that perfect white pumpkin for Halloween to planning your family Christmas card photo, you may not be thinking about your skincare routine and how important it is to change it up with the change of the season!
Being a Skincare & Beauty Expert, like clockwork every year around this time, clients contact me in panic complaining that “all of a sudden” their skin went from looking that clear, tan, dewy kind-of-flawless to dry, patchy and break-out prone practically over-night. What many people don’t realize is that the change in weather, even if you live in a warm climate year-round like me, effects the skin’s PH balance and equilibrium. When the weather outside gets cooler and buildings start to shift from A/C to heat, your skin takes a toll and often dryness is the first symptom to occur leading to other issues long term.
While it might not seem like that big of a deal to some, over time if you do not have a proactive hydrating solution, your skin won’t “bounce back” from season-to-season as easily—and early aging is inevitable. So, what is the solution?! Similar to introducing new haircare products every once in awhile to revive your locks, to combat this seasonal shift and prevent early aging, you will want to do the same for your skincare routine to go from drab to fab this season!
Knowing the power of proper exfoliation paired with deep hydration from non-toxic ingredients, I have collaborated with three different wellness and clean beauty brands to try their products, give my honest review, plus three juicy product giveaways! See my review rating for each product below and if I think it’s worth you giving a try; I’ve included a brief summary, the pros, the cons, plus discount codes to purchase for yourself or someone skincare savvy on your holiday shopping list!
Product Review Scale: 1 —10 (1 = Toss / 10 = Must Have!)
Hidrate Spark, Water Bottle: 10
HidrateSpark.com — Use Heather10 Coupon Code At Checkout For 10% OFF Your Entire Order! *Ends 12/8/18
Let me start by saying I CANNOT live without this water bottle! It literally comes with me everywhere I go… every. single. day. Why you ask? Because it works! This high-tech water bottle is designed to alert you when you need to drink water in order to meet your daily hydration goals—keeping your health and skin on point! This type of product is perfect for someone like me, who can go all day and not drink nearly as much H20 as they are supposed to (I know, something this health-nut is so not proud of). Since introducing this high tech water bottle into my wellness routine, I have noticed a huge increase in my daily water intake and my mind, body and skin has reaped the “hidration” benefits.
The Pros:
- Sleek, Modern Design: Right away, what I loved about this bottle was the cool, futuristic design that feels cool, high-tech, and on-point with any outfit or decor. I chose the white color, to match my obsession with neautrals, but there are a variety of colors and seasonal exclusive colors (like a rose gold and peachy gold tone) to choose from to match your style on their website (listed above with coupon code).
- Bottle AND Phone Notifications: In addition to the water bottle’s center that lights-up red whenever you need to re-hydrate, what I love even more is that the bottle is connected to my phone via bluetooth. This feature allows the bottle to wirelessly track water intake for the day and send notification reminders to sip-up to your phone if you happen to miss (ahem, or ignore like me) the bottle’s, SILENT, light-up indication light! For example, your phone will receive notifications full of humor and scarcasm like, “How are you going to survive the zombie apocalypse if you are not hydrated?!” This double whammy of the silent, light-up bottle mixed with the notifications ensures I sip up! *Note: each bottle’s notification light is red and silent despite what color bottle you choose; this makes it a great gift for students or work environments, because there is no noise which means no disruptions.
- App Automatic + Manual Tracker: The app connected to this water bottle is super intuitive, easy to use and automatically tracks my water intake every single time I take a sip. So, what if you drink water from another source? No worries, there is a manual tracker too! This has been great for me, since every morning as part of My Morning Wellness Routine I drink 16 oz. of water from a different glass bottle with my doTTERA Frankinscense and Lemon essential oils in it first thing before my morning coffee! I simply manually add 16 oz. to my app and start the day feeling ahead of the game when it comes to my hydration goals! The rest of the day I now use my Hidrate Spark water bottle to automatically track or ease (I used to have glass or stainless steel bottles, but wasn’t drinking enough water with those).
- Challenge/Reward System: There are numerous studies that show the positive benefits of having an accountability partner for things like your morning workout or any goal for that matter. Having this app track my water and meeting my goal each day feels like both a challenge and a reward — keeping my health and wellness on my forefront each day. I’ve found reaching my water goals each day has a positive ripple effect on my wellness and fitness goals too. For example, when I know I am taking good care of my body sipping enough water and seeing my progress in my app, I am more likely to choose healthier options, like the salad over the pasta dish, when out to dinner with my husband.
- Expand Your Horizons: When I first connected the bottle to the app, it had me answer a few basic questions like height, weight (don’t worry it’s all confidential), plus had me choose from a few goals of why I want to stay more hydrated. From weight loss, to increasing energy, to upping productivity levels (that’s what I chose)… it really gets you thinking of all the benefits of staying hydrated far beyond the basics. This makes you want to reach your goals even more and becomes a healthy ritual you will love! Parched peeps like me will wonder how you ever drank water without it LOL.
The Cons:
- BPA-Free Plastic vs. Glass or Stainless Steel: The only con is that being the health concious person that I am, I really aim to only drink out of glass or stainless steel now rather than plastic (even if it’s BPA-free), because there have been so many studies that have come out about plastic and how this man-made material is not good for our health. While BPA-Free is definitely better, it’s a personal preference especially for something like a water bottle I drink out of daily. Since I pride myself on all my product reviews being extremely honest, whether they are a collaboration or not, I emailed them directly raving about how much I love their product after trying, but shared that I wish it was glass or stainless steel for the price. They responded saying, “Plastic is the only option – 100% BPA free made of Tritan plastic which is the food safe plastic! I am so glad you love it, and I will pass along your suggestion. : ) ” I will tell you, all-in-all, for me the pros absolutely out-weigh this one con! I mean, at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter if it’s made out of BPA-Free plastic, glass, stainless or… GOLD if I am not drinking enough water?! The fact that I am reaching my water intake goals consistently each day using this tech-savvy bottle vs. not getting even close to my goals using my stainless steel or glass bottles—sold me, plain and simple!
AuraOrganics Cosmetics, Regenerating Mask: 10
AuraOrganicsCosmetics.co.uk —Use Coupon Code AURAMOVEMENT At Checkout For 15% OFF Your Entire Order!
This incredible, organic, mud mask hydrates skin by sloughing away dead skin cells revealing instantly clearer, hydrated, glowing skin at any age right when you wash it off!
The Pros:
- Moisturizing ORGANIC Mask: This mask is unlike any I have ever used, in the sense that most masks have that clay “drying effect” which can be great when needed, but this mask is great for dry or malnourished skin and acts as a humectant attracting moisture to the skin. The results are an increase in hydration with a blast of natural and organic good-for-you ingredients.
- Natural Exfoliators: This mask has course pieces throughout the mask, which act as natural exfoliating agents when you wash the mask off. This assists with sloughing off dead skin cells, allowing the products in your everyday routine to penetrate deeper into the skin—so that you get even better results!
- Natural Essential Oils = Aromatherapy: This mask truly is an aromatherapy experience. The moment you put it on, you will feel instantly relaxed. Partner it with a warm bubble bath and you will walk away feeling like you spent the whole day at the spa!
- Glass Container: Anyone who is well-versed in the wellness + clean beauty industry knows that glass is preferable over plastic, due to many studies that are now revealing plastic’s negative health effects. Yet another pro for this product—this container is made of glass.
The Cons:
- None. Literally, I can’t think of anything negative to say about this unique face mask. I suggest you use in addition to other face masks I love and swear by, so that you have an array of options to choose from, based on your particular skincare needs and the season.
AuraOrganics Cosmetics, Cleansing Oil: 8
AuraOrganicsCosmetics.co.uk Use Coupon Code AURAMOVEMENT At Checkout For 15% OFF Your Entire Order!
This cleansing oil is unique, because it does not look like your average face cleanser. It comes out as an oil and when mixed with water becomes a “milkey” texture melting away makeup, dirt and oil, while deeply adding a layer of moisture to bare skin.
The Pros:
- Glass Bottle: Once again, as stated above about this same brand’s face mask—the company gets it when it comes to glass being the smarter and healthier option over plastic containers!
- Natural/Organic Ingredients: Love the natural AND organic incredients in these products! Many companies claim “natural” these days, but organic is a whole other level and certification process for companies and that’s impressive! They pride themselves to ensure ingredients are as high quality and pure.
- Hydrating Cleanser For Dry Skin: If you have really dry skin, this may be the cleanser for you. It is unlike any cleanser and deeply hydrating.
- Unique Texture Removes Makeup: When using this product, it almost feels more like a facial verses a cleanser. Yet the cleanser is activated by water and turns into a “milkey lather” and cleans away makeup, dirt and oil on the face!
The Cons:
- No Foamy “Clean” Lather: I LOVE a great gel cleanser that turns into a nice lather ensuring I feel that squeaky clean—especially having oily, break-out prone skin. This cleanser is beautiful, but doesn’t do that. So, I found myself wanting to use my other cleanser afterward for that deep clean feel.
- May Not Be Best For Break-Out Prone: I am not saying oily, break-out prone skin cannot use this; however, in my expertise, most people with that skin type get the best results with a citrus based gel and/or foaming cleanser to act as a natural astringent and thoroughly clean-out pores, while promoting natural exfoliation from citrus acids and essential oils. This cleanser seems more ideal for someone with extremely dry skin or who it’s most concerned with fine lines and wrinkles, but is not break-out prone.
Corson Beauty, Night Oil: 9
corsonbeauty.com Use Coupoon Code TRUBEAUTYMOVEMENT At Checkout For 10% OFF Your Entire Order!
Featured in a recent issue of Allure Magazine—this sister-founded, Little Rock, AR based, cruelty-free brand uses only the best ingredients and essential oils. Something the owners pride themselves on is that their products are 100% plant based, giving you beauty benefits the healthy way. This night oil heals + hydrates your skin outside-in; fine lines and acne scars seemingly disappear & it’s smells devine!
The Pros:
- Hydrating For Dry Skin: This silky, soft formula deeply hydrates the skin yet feels light when on. Fantastic for fall/winter months when cold air takes it’s toll.
- 100% Plant Based Ingredients: Great ingredients from the earth are high quality and consistent with the non-toxic, clean beauty trends and health benefits.
- Diminishes Fine Lines/Wrinkles: By increasing cell turn-over while hydrating the skin, fine lines and wrinkles will stay hydrated and become less apparent over time.
- Natural Aromatherapy: This product truly smells incredible…it’s an experience to put on! Nourish your skin, while receiving your very own mini aromatherapy treatment for inner and outer beauty balance.
The Cons:
- Oily/Break Out Prone Complexions: While I did NOT notice this, I am alway cautious when introducing new products, especially new oils, into my beauty routine due to my sensitve skin. I wouldn’t necessary call this a con, but it is safe to say that anyone with oily or breakout-prone skin should simply observe their skin up to 4-6 weeks. This is something I suggest for any new product, but especially new serums, night oils or creams that sit on the skin for long periods of time. Simply observe how this beautiful product effects skin and ensuring it keeps skin clear and balanced.
3 Product Juicy Giveaway—For Flawless Skin!
A giant CONGRATS to @nataliatabilo On Intagram for winning our Healthy Skin Inside Out Giveaway in collaboration with @hidratespark @auraorganicscosmetics and @corsonbeauty ! She won 3 juicy prizes including: Hidrate Spark bluetooth water bottle, Aura Organics Cosmetics Regerating Face Mask, and Corson Beauty Night Oil! We are all so excited for you!
***Don’t miss out on my EXCLUSIVE wellness, beauty, & lifestyle giveaways… follow @trubeautyMOVEMENT on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, PInterest + subscribe to my YouTube Channel! You can connect to all with ease at the upper right of my BLOG (trubeautyMOVEMENT.com).
Until next time trubeauty… be balanced. be tru. be YOU!
xo! Heath