Product Review: Murad Clarifying Cleanser

I'm constantly on the look-out for amazing beauty products. Whenever I have a few extra minutes, I'm scouring Pinterest or beauty blogs to see what people are using and talking about. Recently, a blogger who I read constantly posted about her positive experiences with Murad Skincare. She, too, has acne prone skin that variates between oily and dry. When she started using Murad, after 2 weeks, her skin improved enough to where she was able to go without foundation in her everyday beauty routine. Seeing as I would love to not have to wear foundation each day, I decided to fork over the $30 (not including shipping...) for this cleanser. 

My Skin "History":

Before I jump into the meat of the review, I'll give you some context about my skin. I began to struggle with acne at the age of 12. Throughout middle school and high school, caring for my skin was a guessing game. Which cleanser will work wonders? Does chocolate make me break out? Maybe if I put toothpaste on it, it will go away! You get the idea... 

So, I started keeping a food journal to track which foods seemed to make my skin worse. I soon learned what to avoid and how to care for my skin externally. When I reached my senior year, my skin problems started to improve. Now, I go through bouts of bad skin. I will have perfectly clear skin for several months, and then suddenly I will have a few weeks of bad skin. Additionally, I've noticed that when my skin is exceedingly dry for an extended period of time, I always break out. Based on my personal research, dry skin causes your body to over-produce oil to compensate. This, naturally, causes breakouts, and I have found this to be true for me. 

While I believe that all skin issues begin internally (stress, poor diet, etc), I also believe that skincare products can help alleviate acne, dryness/oil, and many other issues. This is what I expected Murad's Clarifying Cleanser would do for me. 

Review:

I gave Murad's Clarifying Cleanser two weeks before I judged the effects of the product on my skin. Typically, it is believed that if something isn't working for you after that amount of time, it's not going to change. I didn't use any skincare product that was not by Murad, so I wasn't mixing skincare lines or chemicals.

During use, the cleanser gives off a cooling sensation and does not rinse off easily. I had to keep rinsing to make sure that I was getting the "soap" off of my skin. 

After the two weeks, my breakouts had actually increased. The cleanser is so chemical intense that it started to burn sensitive areas of my skin, leaving dark pigmentation around my chin. The area that I struggle most with- my T zone- became red and flaky from dryness. 

I decided to stop using the cleanser because it was clearly doing nothing positive for my skin. I was very disappointed because a) the product cost more than I'd like to pay for a facial cleanser and b) the product actually has decent reviews so I had high expectations.

All in all, I would probably not recommend this product to anyone. It's certainly not worth the money, and it had negative effects on my skin. However, feel free to read the reviews on their product's page.

My Current Skincare Routine:

After my frustration with Murad, I went back to my tried-and-true routine. It consists of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap in Lavender (packaging is removed in photo below), Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Toner, and Mary Kay's Acne Treatment Gel.

Dr. Bronner's soaps cost under $5 and have minimal ingredients, most of which are essential oils and natural extracts. I like that it allows my skin to act as it naturally would. Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Toner has to be my favorite skincare product ever. Not only does it smell like a fresh salad, but it works so well on my skin. It also fades acne scars! Finally, Mary Kay's Acne Treatment Gel works wonders with spot treatment. It doesn't dry out my skin and works to keep new pimples away. 

So, what are some of your favorite products? I'd love recommendations! 

*This is not a sponsored post. I received no compensation from any of the companies mentioned above. All opinions and views herein are my own.

Things I'm Loving...

1. Yoga. Seriously, I have yet to find a physical fitness routine that leaves me with as good a feeling as yoga does. I love that it provides stress relief and physical exercise at the same time; it can be as rigorous or as calming as you want it to be. I've been starting my mornings with this routine. It wakes me up and gives me an immediate energy boost! Another routine I love is this stress relief and detox routine for something a little more toning and physical.

If you need a good laugh, read this article by comedian Kelly MacLean about her experiences with "hot yoga" (it's literally as it sounds... a bunch of people doing yoga in a hot room...). It's a good reminder to not take yourself too seriously!

2. Schar Honeygrams. Ever since I went gluten-free, I have been on a mad hunt for good cookies and crackers. I'm glad to announce that I have accomplished one half of that goal. I picked these up on a whim at Piggly Wiggly on my way to a bonfire at my friends house. Lucky find, I guess! As the box suggests, I'll definitely be using these for pie crusts, too.

3. Simply Grapefruit juice. I'm letting you in on another morning routine of mine. For me, nothing knocks away an oncoming cold like having a nice, chilled glass of this stuff every morning.

4. Pangea Organics Facial Scrub. I really love facial scrubs, but I have sensitive skin, so if it's even a tad too grainy, I break out. Pangea Organic's scrubs are the perfect amount for me: just the right amount of grain. I use their Egytpian geranium with adzuki bean and cranberry scrub. Not only is the texture great, but the smell is very therapeutic as well! Another plus is that their products are free of sulfates, petroleum, and synthetic preservatives.

What are you loving these days??

Edit: I've linked up with Katie Did What? today!

5 Ways I Save Money on Groceries

When I was a kid, I found grocery shopping both frustrating and exciting. My mom was a slow shopper, leaving me no choice but to stare at everything on the shelves as I followed along. As a result, I would beg for everything that caught my eye. Mom, can we get some Pop Tarts? Mom, can we get some juice? Mom, can I have this box of cereal? Her answer was almost always no (and good for her).

I learned a few things from my budget savvy mama and, having lived on my own for a few years, I picked up a few of my own good habits and tips on saving money. These are pretty straightforward, but have helped Luis and I maintain a healthy diet and cut expenses along the way.

1. Learn how to cook.
Sometimes people believe that cooking fresh meals, full of produce and meat, is more expensive and out of their budget. This is a fallacy. Some produce items might cost you more up front, but they always always always produce a higher yield that a boxed or prepared dinner. You can eat more and fill up on your home-cooked meal without guilt! Plus, I believe that the more you cook fresh meals on a daily basis will save you money in the long run on healthcare costs. If your body is consistently being fed healthy, fresh produce, meat, dairy, etc., your body will be stronger longer.

What to do if you are a hopeless cook? Learn how to assemble food. In other words, make sandwiches, tacos, quesadillas, etc. That way you can still use fresh ingredients without resorting to buying a ton of prepared meals.

2. Plan your meals in advance and stick to a list.
When you cook your own meals, it only makes sense to be sure that you have all the items necessary to complete each meal. I actually enjoy doing this! (Does that make me weird...?) When you plan each meal and create a grocery list, it helps you stay on track while in the store. Along with a list, my hubby and I always have our phone's calculator up and we add the cost of each item and make sure we don't go over a certain limit. We don't have a strict grocery budget that we adhere to, but we try to make sure that our costs don't exceed a certain price.

One resource that helps me meal plan has been to create a Pinterest board. It helps me compile foods that I like and choose from that list so I don't have to spend too much time pouring over recipe books and pulling my hair out. Pinterest is a God-send.

3. Keep track of what is already in your pantry. 
Knowing what's in your pantry and cupboards can help plan meals with ingredients you already have, eliminating repeated purchases and saving time and money at the store. Also, try to plan your meals around what you already have.

4. Bring your lunch to work at least 4 days each week. 
This one doesn't need much explanation. Food prices in stores are usually overpriced and add up very quickly. As I said before, when you create fresh meals, it usually yields quite a bit of leftovers. Put them aside in containers to take with you to work. You can also keep salad materials on hand for an easy lunch. Fatten them up with chicken, almonds, tomatoes, cucumbers, and homemade salad dressing (this stuff is amazing!!).

5. I try and only buy ingredients if I know I'll use them more than once.  
Some dishes seem fun to make but contain ingredients that you have to go to a special store to buy. Don't restrict yourself, but if you're going to buy that ingredient, plan on making additional dishes that also include it. Again, it goes back to tip number 3.

What do you do to save money on food and groceries? I'd love to hear your ideas and tips!

More resources:
My 5 Day Gluten-free Meal Plan
What's in My Grocery Cart?

Create Your Own Self: Beauty Favorites

I'm not going to lie: I mostly created this post because I love making collages. Even more specifically, I like making collages featuring my favorite beauty products and/or obsessions! I'm trying to post more consistently these days and in the spirit of blogging and sharing what you love, here we go. 

1. I cannot tell you how much I'm obsessing over Jin Soon's nail polish line. These colors are two from her new Spring color collection that were inspired by her visit to Monet's Garden

exhibit at the New York Botanical Gardens.

2. Maybelline's Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision eyeliner has been my liquid eyeliner favorite for two years. It's so reliable and easy to apply. If you're in the market for a new liquid liner, take this one home with you.

3. I am loving the new scent "Pure Daydream" from Victoria's Secret! They have three different types of moisturizer, from the light stuff (lotion) to heavy-duty moisture (body butter). I prefer the body butters because they are versatile and moisturize the tough spots really well.

4. I really love Burt's Bees. I use so many of their products because of their focus and dedication to natural ingredients; some are more natural than others, but they're always reliable. These lip shimmers give the same long-lasting effects as a lipstick without the heavy look. My favorite color is Raisin- it's just the right amount of red and berry tones.

5. Finding that go-to product can be a difficult thing, at times. It took me years to find a shampoo that didn't weigh down my already heavy hair. John Freida's Brilliant Brunette Moisturizing shampoo has been my favorite for years. It brings out the natural highlights and lowlights in your hair and keeps it soft.

6. Maybe you're confused as to why lemons are on this list. In recent months, I have found that these citrus fruits are a jack of all trades in the beauty department. I apply lemon juice to even out my skin tone and lighten pimple marks. Also, drinking water with lemon helps promote healthy digestion, eliminate toxins, and clean out the lymph system.

7. A while back, I had a subscription to Birchbox where each month they would send me various samples of beauty products. They sent me a sample of Vasanti's BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvinator scrub. It was love at first try! I have semi-sensitive skin so some scrubs make me break out. But Vasanti's scrub is very fine and digs deep but doesn't irritate my skin.

8. I'm obsessed with Kate Spade's new fragrance Live Color Fully! I love the name, and the fragrance is fresh and sweet. Some of the notes include star anise, vanilla, and pink lily flower... sounds right up my alley.

What products would you add to this list? What are some of your favorites?

DIY: Raspberry Brown Sugar Scrubs

This year, I have decided to be more crafty. It's a pretty simple statement, but it's not a simple task. I want to round out my blog this year by adding more; more than what I would usually post. That being said, I am a massive fan of all things DIY; they are usually cost-effective, very personal, and that much more special because you took the time to create it yourself. 

Well, I love anything that has remotely to do with skincare or skin health. I almost always have a scrub in my shower because of the great skin benefits that come from using a scrub regularly. The abrasion of the sugar (or whatever is in your scrub) increases cell turnover and circulation, allowing your skin to recover and rejuvenate throughout the day or overnight. It's so easy, I see no reason why I shouldn't be doing this daily.

I made my first scrub about a month ago and loved how it made my skin feel so soft after use! Another feel-good about this: it's homemade with natural ingredients, so you're not rubbing chemicals into your skin. It's perfect for people with sensitive skin (like me!). All you need are: a glass container, brown sugar, olive oil (or another type of your favorite oil), and raspberry extract (although this is optional, I added the extract for scent purposes).

 I mixed three parts sugar to one part oil. I prefer my scrubs to be more sugar than oil, but you can always adjust it if you find it to be too dry.

 Scoop it into the container and seal. See? Extremely easy. I ended up making a large amount of these for Christmas gifts this year. It took one 17 fl. oz. bottle of oil and almost two bags of brown sugar.

Here are some ways I use my scrubs: 

On my neck to increase cell turnover (your neck is one of the most noticeable areas of aging)

I apply a scrub to my legs before shaving (it raises the hairs even more to achieve a closer shave)

On my elbows, knees, and heels (that should be obvious...)

Have fun! Check out some of my favorite natural skincare products below!

DIY: Easy Facial Toner

You might want to keep a stash of this stuff in your cabinets. I started buying apple cider vinegar for its natural detoxification benefits but soon realized that it is associated with a myriad of other uses and benefits. It's practically a cure-all. The natural enzymes, minerals, and vitamins contained in the ACV rid your body of toxins and aid proper immune and digestive health. It's said that even Hippocrates treated his patients with this stuff in 400 B.C.

All that aside, though, and you find that ACV also alleviates many skin problems. The high acidity of the ACV balances your skin's pH balance. Your skin is the first defense against infections and other harmful elements and your pH balance is what protects your skin from those elements. In other words, it's all about the pH balance. 

ACV is a wonderful natural facial toner because it won't strip your skin of its natural barrier or oils like some of the harsh chemicals present in store-bought facial toners. ACV restores balance to your natural acidity and can even balance your skin tone. 

Instructions for Toner:

4 tbs Bragg's apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 tbs water (add 2 1/2 tbs if your skin is more on the dry side)

A bottle 

Simply mix the ACV with water in a bottle and shake gently to mix together. Use daily for best results; and don't worry, the vinegar smell will disappear when it soaks into your skin. 

See? Easy. 

Have a happy Thanksgiving!!

Easy At-Home Manicure Tips

 It's Friday. I have a major case of writer's block today. But I'm here. 

Today's my day off and I cannot tell you how good it feels. It's the time of year that becomes simultaneously joyful and stressful. There must be some secret oath that professors take, promising to always give the optimal amount of work, research, and reading to their students during that week. I can only hope and pray that this will all be worth it. Yet all the stress seems bandaged over by the Christmas music on the radio, businesses and homes setting up Christmas lights, and plans for the new year. That's where I'm trying to keep my sights focused.

 In the general spirit of trying to liven things up, I gave myself a manicure today and I wanted to share some of my favorite tips with you- because everyone deserves a day off.

I am utterly aware that oxblood and burgundy are the go-to colors for everything this season. Seriously, oxblood lipstick? Anyway, I chose a different shade and befriended a lovely hot pink. Victoria's Secret just released two lines of nail polish and I'm pretty excited about it. I have quite a few already, and the color I chose is their Signature Pink Nail Lacquer. 

1. Start with a clean slate. 

If you have any old, chipped polish on your nail, give those babies a once over! Remove any traces of polish on your nails. I prefer non-acetone remover because it's not as harsh and I have slightly brittle nails. 

2. File and trim.   

Don't use your nail file to get rid of length- it will make your nails break and split over time. Always use nail clippers to trim nails to your desired length and use a file to shape the edges or chipped sides. Since the base of my cuticles are an oval shape, I keep the tips of my nails oval shaped as well.

3. Optional Primping.

This step is purely optional and depends on your lifestyle and how much time you have. But if you want to get the full-on experience at home, pay attention. Soak your hands in warm water for about 5 minutes. I like to add a little baby oil to the water to really soften my cuticles. Afterwards, push back your cuticles if they need fixing. Mine usually don't get too out of control, but it's good to do every so often. 

4. Optional Primping Part Two.

Again, totally optional- scrub and moisturize your hands. Mary Kay sells an amazing three step set called Satin Hands Pampering Set. I was given one for Christmas and use it only on special occasions. Be sure to remove excess lotion from your hands because polish won't adhere to your nail as well if it's covered in moisturizer.

5. Never Skip a Base Coat.

My best friend once asked me what kind of base coat I use and I replied: "I don't really use one." She looked as though I had punched a baby (ok I'm exaggerating here...). Either way, her reaction caused me to try painting my nails using a base coat first. The color was much more concentrated and stayed put with less chipping and fading. I always thought base coats were a waste of money, but they can actually extend the life of your nail polish because you will be using less at a time. 

6. Apply One-Two Coats of Chosen Polish.

Obviously this step is self-explanatory, but hey, let's not leave anything out. Some of my favorite brands are Essie, O.P.I., NYC New York Color, Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme wear, and ULTA's nail polish. 

7. Let the Polish Dry.

Some polishes dry faster than others. Take your time with it; read a book or a magazine, or watch a show while you wait (that's part of the fun). If you need to speed up the process, dip your nails in a bowl of ice cold water for 30 seconds. It "freezes" the polish and hardens it so you can get on with your day. 

Have an amazing Friday!