Recently, I discovered the online pharmacy, Victoria Health. This London-based retailer is a treasure trove for vitamins, supplements, affordable skincare with high concentrations of active ingredients, as well as organic and natural health and beauty products. They offer expedient international shipping for a nominal fee. I placed an order to try out some things. The Ameliorate body care products are a dream. I can’t get enough of ultra-hydrating skincare and this
I’m putting myself on a “low-buy” for the next six months when it comes to makeup so I can use up what I have before I buy anything new. For the most part, I’ve been sticking to one routine a month in order to make a real effort to use up makeup that I own and not waste it. This routine is my current mainstay. Tarte Rainforest of the Sea
Sephora has two sales a year for their loyalty club customers (Beauty Insiders and VIB’s), one in the spring and one in the fall. VIB and VIB Rouge receive a 20% discount and Beauty Insiders receive a 15% discount. Loyalty customers know which category they are in based on how much they spend throughout the year. If you are new to the program, you can still sign up online and
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and when used in skincare offers a multitude of benefits. It brightens and boosts the production of collagen. It also fights free radicals caused by UV exposure and pollution. Incorporating Vitamin C into your daily skincare routine works to prevent hyperpigmentation leaving skin brighter, and firmer with a more even skin tone. I use a Vitamin C serum nearly every day. These are
This summer, my family and I went to Madrid during a heatwave. The blistering temperatures didn’t spoil my fondness for the city. I’d love to visit again, most definitely in the cooler months. I had a serious browse in Antigua Farmacia de la Reina Madre, the oldest pharmacy in Madrid, created in 1578 by a Venetian alchemist. The carved wood interior, tiles, and old apothecary jars were beautiful. How lucky for
One of the quickest and easiest ways to wake up the face and pull a look together, regardless of what you’re wearing, is to put on a red lip. That and the fact that red lipstick never goes out of style. These are my Top 6 favorite red lipsticks in no particular order. All of them have a few things in common. All have a satin finish, none are matte.
My favorite budget makeup picks. All have a list price of below $20 but can be purchased for much less when bought on offer or with a drugstore coupon. I rarely pay full price for drugstore makeup because there are always sales to be found. Loyalty programs can result in big discounts by using points or coupons. I’m partial to CVS, Walgreens, and Ulta. This is where I get the biggest
When I’m perusing pharmacies in foreign countries, I try to stay focused on skincare and treatments loved by locals and unavailable in the USA. No reason to spend money on things I can buy at home. I didn’t see too many brands unique to Vienna in the two pharmacies I popped into but they are well stocked in wonderful French skincare lines. I picked up a few things such
My makeup routine of the past month including some new discoveries and old favorites. Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation – A favorite drugstore foundation of mine. It’s light to medium coverage. I use the shade, Soft Ivory. Available at Ulta. Tarte Undereye Corrector – I love peachy cream corrector concealers. I’m on my second pot of this one. It’s not too heavy under the eyes, counters my undereye darkness and
Micellar water is a decades-old French creation supposedly due to the days of poor plumbing and awful tap water. No one wanted to wash their face in it. Most skincare brands have jumped onto the trend by now with their own version. Don’t confuse micellar water with toner. Micellar water is a cleansing water that removes makeup and hydrates the skin. Some have instructions not to rinse off. I