KIEHL'S MICRO-DOSE ANTI-AGING RETINOL SERUM

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Rating : 5/5

Price : $65.00

Size : 1 oz

Where to Buy : kiehls.com, Sephora, Ulta, Amazon

Cruelty Free : No

Well, I'm finally at the point in my life where it's time to start using a retinol. Dermatologists recommend to start using retinol products in your mid 20's to help prevent early signs of aging and clear troubled skin. I've tried retinol in the past and it completely broke me out. This can often happen when 1) you aren't used to the powerful ingredients yet and 2) the dose is too high. I was hesitant to try it again since it bothered my skin so bad last time. But, when I noticed forehead wrinkles, crows feet, and enlarged pores I knew it was time to try something strong. I was so thankful when I finally found something that was perfect for beginners and from a brand I trust. This potent serum delivers serious results while having a minimal amount of retinol (under 0.5%). Since the dosage is small, it is best for beginners and those with sensitive skin as there is very little irritation. Along with retinol, this serum is also packed with ceramides and peptides to enhance skins natural radiance. Within a few uses of this product, I already noticed a significant difference. My foundation looked smoother and creased much less throughout the day. I was blown away by how quickly and effectively this product worked. This is perfect for beginners to slowly work retinol into their routine. I recommend trying a few times a week at first to get accustomed to the formula, then once comfortable, you can use it everyday since the dose is so small. If you have wrinkles, scars, or even acne, I highly suggest adding a retinol product like this one to transform your skin!

IT COSMETICS YOUR SKIN BUT BETTER SETTING SPRAY

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Rating : 5/5

Price : $30.00

Size : 3.4 fl oz

Where to Buy : itcosmetics.com, Ulta, Sephora, Amazon, Macy's, Nordstrom

Cruelty Free : Yes

I am a big believer in the power of setting spray. You wouldn't paint your nails and not finish with a top coat would you? That's basically what a setting spray is for, locking in all your hard work. To some people the concept is strange, using a wet product on a dry base. However, setting sprays actually have polymers in them which bonds together to create a film that holds the makeup in place. And thankfully, there is a spray for pretty much everyone. Whether you want to mattify or glow, or maybe need some extra hydration. There are even some setting sprays that have SPF added to them for even more protection. For how long I've been playing with makeup, I've only tried a handful of setting sprays. When it comes to setting sprays and powders, I am VERY picky because it doesn't work correctly, your makeup is pretty much ruined. But, when I saw this bad boy at work (and on sale at Sephora inside Kohl's), I had to give it a try. I am a die hard fan of everything It Cosmetics. I seriously don’t think I've ever tried a bad product from them. Since I have dry skin, I always need an extra boost of hydration. So I loved that this spray has ingredients like coconut water and hyaluronic acid to keep my skin feeling nourished. It also has a 16 hour wear time so your makeup stays in place throughout a long work day and even into the night! I have worn this in 100 degree heat dripping sweat and my foundation didn't move or crease in the slightest. The nozzle also has the most amazing mister that feels weightless on the skin. You will never look drenched or have splotches when using this product. You'll just be left feeling refreshed by this light mist. Overall, I was extremely impressed by this product. It's definitely one of my all time favorites. Dry skin girls, you need this in your makeup bag!

mORROCANOIL DRY SHAMPOO

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Rating : 5/5

Price : $26.00

Size : 5.4 fl oz

Where to Buy : morrocanoil.com, Sephora, Nordstrom, Amazon

Cruelty Free : Yes

There are a few things in the beauty world that you don't need to spend a lot of money on and can get the same results as high end products. In my opinion, stuff like mascara, lip stick, and dry shampoo perform just as well and for much less. I've tried several name brand dry shampoos and keep going back to Batiste because not only is it cheap but it works really well. A few weeks ago, we had an extra employee discount on all Morrocanoil hair products. I was in desperate need of dry shampoo that day and didn't have time to run to Target to get my Batiste, so I splurged and decided to try something new. I honestly wasn't expecting it to be anything special. But, I think this may truly be one of the best dry shampoos on the market. To start, the price is actually less expensive than most prestige hair products. For example, the award winning Living Proof dry shampoo is a whopping $30 for about the same amount of product. Although it's volumizing, Living proof left a gnarly white cast in my hair. But, Morrocanoil delivered all the volume with none of the white cast. They have two types of their dry shampoo; light tones which has a transparent color and dark tones which has a brownish color so that everyone can use their product without worrying about white-cast. Probably my favorite thing about this item is how it leaves my hair looking. I never have to worry about having that crunchy texture because this product gives me that silky smooth blowout look. It literally looks like you've been at a salon all day. This is all thanks to their key ingredient argan oil. Argan oil is used in every single Morrocanoil product because of it's incredible nourishing qualities for both skin and body. I think that's what makes this product stand out. Every dry shampoo talks about "mattifying" and "texturizing" but sometimes it can actually be too much on your hair. Hair, like the rest of our body, needs nourishment! They put the perfect amount of oil in this product to give shine without creating a greasy look. The Morrocanoil scent (which is infused in all their products) also keeps hair smelling fresh even after a week without washing. Overall, I was blown away with how well this worked and how GOOD my hair looked. I will definitely be splurging and buying this one again!