May is Mental Health Awareness Month

 Hello Everyone!

May is mental health awareness month. Mental Health is an area that hits close to home for me because I have depression and anxiety. Many of you that read my blog know that I have shared my struggles, inspiration, and hope for coping with mental health issues.

I mentioned in 2018 that I started going back to counseling. The first counselor I had was very pushy with his beliefs on mental health and he wasn't listening to anything I was saying. I actually started feeling worse after my counseling sessions. After the 3rd session, I switched counselors. One of the best decisions I made. I keep my circle small, but sometimes people give bad advice. Ultimately it's up to you on how you deal with coping with your overall mental health. 

I tend to overthink a lot. I can admit trusting the process can be struggle for me. Sometimes I question did I make the right decision or why something bothers me the way it does. I have let things bother me until I have anxiety. In life things happen beyond our control. 

I'm learning to trust myself more. Your worst critic can be yourself. I've learned that a lot over the years. When you trust yourself you should be able to do so without judgment or guilt.  

You can't run on empty. One of my goals has been eating more foods that help combat anxiety and depression. Since I have severe nutrient deficiencies (i.e. Iron Deficiency Anemia etc) low iron levels can also be a factor for some of my mental health symptoms. I take medication, but eating right, exercise, and getting rest does help. I still suffer from insomnia, but some nights are better than others. 

You have to take each day one by one. You can't be fully sure of what tomorrow will bring. You have to take the good with the bad. It's okay not to know all the answers. Sometimes you have to figure out things as you go along, and that's okay.

Over the past few years I've realized that taking a mental health day(s) are necessary for me to cope with my depression and anxiety. I can't always stop what I'm doing to take a break, but once I fulfill important obligations etc. I take a few days to myself. Life can be overwhelming, but it helps to take a mental health day. Remember, self care isn't selfish.

It's 2021 and mental health still comes with stigma, and that is something I don't understand. Honestly with all the things going on in the world, it can become overwhelming to cope especially when your dealing with your own issues. If you're struggling with mental health issues, know there is help and hope to feel better. 

Pond's Anti-Aging Rejuveness Skincare

Hello Everyone!

*Disclaimer: This post contains PR Samples from Pond's. I would like to thank Pond's for sending these products. All opinions are 100% my own. Product information, courtesy of ponds.com

If you remember when I first started blogging, I featured Pond's Skincare products numerous times in my posts. Pond's recently released a few new Anti-Aging Skincare Rejuveness products that I've been using on my skin.

Pond's Anti-Aging Rejuveness 

Anti-Aging Skincare Rejuveness Lifting & Brightening Eye Cream

Description 

From the first use, Pond's Lifting & Brightening Eye Cream visibly reduces the look of wrinkles. This hydrating formulae improves elasticity of skin, creating the appearance of tighter and lifted skin around the eyes. The Blur System technology instantly improves the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

My Thoughts 

I don't have any wrinkles around my eyes, but I do like this eye cream for hydration. My allergies have been horrible lately so it leaves the area around my eye feeling dry. This lightweight eye cream has restored hydration and tightens the skin around my eye as well. This eye cream isn't irritating and fragrance free.

Anti-Aging Skincare Rejuveness Skin Tightening Serum

Description 

Pond’s Skin Tightening Serum visibly tightens the appearance of skin and hydrates to help slow new signs of aging in just one week with twice daily use

My Thoughts 

I typically don't like floral scents, but this serum smells so good! There's a light floral scent, that fades as I use this serum on my face. This serum feels like a gel (no residue) and gives my skin a dewy appearance. I like that this serum contains retinol and vitamin b which has many benefits for the skin. 

Anti-Aging Skincare Rejuveness Advanced Hydrating Night Cream

Description 

Pond’s Advanced Hydrating Night Cream is to be used as the final step of a nighttime skincare regimen, reducing the look of wrinkles and hydrating to help slow new signs of aging.

My Thoughts 

As with the serum, this moisturizer is very hydrating. I notice when I opened the jar I accidentally tipped it over and the moisturizer was runny in texture. Thankfully I was able to catch the jar before I made a mess. If you try this product be careful! I noticed that I did have a burning/tingling sensation after usage, but I think that was from the retinol. The burning/tingling only lasted for a few minutes. It was a little uncomfortable, but not painful. 

Overall

The products are really good. The eye cream is my favorite product so far, followed by the serum. The moisturizer is okay, if it didn't have that burning sensation. As I mentioned the burning sensation doesn't last long. I think these products are good to use in your 20's and 30's if you're trying to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. If you have more mature skin, these products would be good to use to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I definitely can tell my skin does feel tighter after using these products. The serum and moisturizer could be looked as a face lift in a tube/bottle/jar.

Have you tried Pond's New Rejuveness Skincare Line? You can find Pond's at your local drugstore, online, and retail stores.

Spring Essentials: Adore Me Haul

 Hello Everyone!

*Disclaimer: This post is Sponsored by Adore Me. I would like to thank Adore Me for sending these products. All opinions are 100% my own. Product information, courtesy of adoreme.com

I love that Adore Me is focusing on fun, bold, bright  colors for their Spring Essentials. As much as I love pastels, I also love bright and bold colors during the Spring. Hotter days ahead mean cooler and comfortable undergarments especially here during South Carolina's humid and hot Spring and Summer.

Hanaleee Unlined Plus 

This is one of Adore Me's new sets. The lime green color is perfect for Springtime. The material is stretchy. The lace detailing within this set is beautiful.

Nare Contour Plus 

This is another new set from Adore Me. How cute is the pattern on this set?! The set has black lace, but the pattern is reminds me of a warm climate.

Cinthia Unlined Plus 

This is one of my favorite sets because it's so comfortable. Last month I purchased the blue and white set as well. The material is lightweight and lacey. 

Marca Contour Plus

This is a beautiful blue set. The straps on the bra and panties give the set a sexy flare.

Enny Contour Plus 

This set is so pretty! It's feminine and flirty with lace, ribbons, and bows. I've never owned a bra that is like this one.

Rema Plus

In addition to bra and panty sets I picked out two slips. This soft racer back slip fits true to size. I really like the polka-dot and lace detailing. I like that I can wear this around the house or I can wear this out and bit paired with a pair of leggings. 

Primrose Plus

When I'm lounging around the house, I typically like to wear slips like the Primrose. This slip runs a little big, but it's a nice fit. The material is super soft, and I like that the straps on this slip are adjustable.

Suave New Pink Hair Care Collection

 Hello Everyone!

*Disclaimer: This post contains  PR Samples provided by Suave. I would like to thank Suave for sending these products. All opinions are 100% my own. Product information, courtesy of suave.com

On Wednesday's We Wash With Pink! Today I'm sharing my wash day routine featuring Suave. To promote their new line, Suave focused on the movie Mean Girls! How cute is the Burn Book Packaging. I'm a huge fan of the movie Mean Girls! I have the DVD :) Mean Girls was released during my senior year of high school in 2004! 

Suave Luscious Curls Amino Acids Conditioner for Curly Hair

Take care of your gorgeous curls. This hydrating conditioner formula, enriched with Amino Acid Complex softens and defines curls for a gorgeous and defined look.

- Conditioner for curly hair moisturizes and detangles for gorgeous, workable curls

- Formulated with Amino Acid Complex to strengthen the inside of the hair fiber while protecting the outside from everyday breakage

- Created to keep hair strong and more manageable, leaving curls ready to style into any look

Step 1:

My hair needed a little TLC this week because I skipped my wash day routine last week. I try to prevent skipping wash day because my hair gets easily tangled which can be annoying when you have curly hair. So I had to do a prepoo (pre shampoo) To deep condition my hair I part my hair into four sections and use a spray bottle with warm water to help loosen my hair. Once my hair starts to loosen I started adding conditioner throughout my hair and sit with a shower cap on for about 45 minutes. This conditoner smells so good and it's so moisturizing on my hair. As I lathered my hair, I could tell the conditioner was detangling and moisturizing my hair at the same time. Moisturized hair is so important when you hair dry frizzy curly hair.

Suave Luscious Curls Amino Acids Shampoo for Curly Hair

Show your curls some love. This sulfate free shampoo for curly hair formula, enriched with Amino Acid Complex, nourishes curls and leaves hair looking defined, gorgeous and smooth.

- Cleanses for gorgeous and workable curly hair

- Formulated with Amino Acid Complex to strengthen the inside of the hair fiber while protecting the outside from everyday breakage

- Amino acid shampoo created to keep curls strong, more manageable and, when used with Luscious Curls Conditioner, ready to style any look

Step 2:

After I rinsed the Conditioner out of my hair I used a detangling comb to comb my hair. A detangling comb really helps the wash day process go easier. Both the shampoo and conditioner have a creamy lightweight texture. The shampoo lathers well and my hair felt really cleansed after usage. My curls looked more defined and healthy. While I shampooed my hair, I noticed that I didn't have much breakage considering I skipped wash day last week. I'm very happy about the minimal breakage.

Suave Luscious Curls Defining Cream with Amino Acids

Treat your curls with some TLC. This formula, enriched with Amino Acid Complex, moisturizes and defines your stunning curls for your best style ever.

- Curl defining cream moisturizes and shapes curls

- Adds bounce and long-lasting definition and light hold for curls

- Amino acid hair treatment created to keep hair strong, more manageable and ready to style any look

Step 3:

I used this Defining Cream on my wet hair to keep moisture locked in my hair. I love leave in creams such as this one that doesn’t dry my hair. Since my hair is thick, I used two pumps of this cream and it doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy.

Overall

These products are so fetch (lol)! Since my hair is frizzy, dry, and curly, I look for hair products that will help me maintain good hair health. I'm glad that these products are so moisturizing and help define my curls. These products are paraben and sulfate free which is also a plus. The amino acid in the products help soften my hair and make it more manageable. All the products smell so good and reasonably priced at Walmart.

Vintage Beauty Products That Are Still Used Today

 Hello Everyone!

There are so many skincare products and routines that are used today and it made me think about vintage beauty routines from the the 1940's-1960's etc. There are still many skincare products that were popular then that are still used in 2021.

These are a few beauty products that have stood the test of time and most of these products are affordable and cost under $10.00.

Ponds Cold Cream Makeup Remover Deep Cleanser

When I first started wearing makeup, Pond's Cold Cream was my holy grail to remove makeup. I've never been a fan of the scent, but this cream removes my all my makeup with ease. Sometimes I even use a few tissues to remove the cold cream like women used to do during their skincare routines.

I don't wear makeup that much these days, but when I do I started using Ponds Cold Cream again to remove my makeup. I see why this cream was (and still is) popular to remove makeup. My mom is still a fan of Pond's Cold Cream and my grandma used Pond's Cold Cream as well. Did you know that during the 1950s etc. some women also used Cold Cream as a moisturizer? *Special Thanks to Pond's for providing their Cold Cream for this post!

Noxzema Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream 

I remember when I was a teenager I used Noxzema as a face mask like many of the teenage girls and women during the 1950s. Friday or Saturday was my Noxzema mask night. I still use Noxzema from time to time.

I have noticed that Noxzema is more moisturizing than it was back in the early 2000's. I'm so happy about that. Noxzema is a great cleanser/mask, but I had to use a good moisturizer after usage to keep my skin from feeling dry.

Vaseline Original Unscented Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) has so many Placing Vaseline under my eyes to reduce puffiness has to be one of my favorite vintage skincare hacks. A little Vaseline goes a long way and my puffiness is gone. 

Women also used Vaseline as a moisturizer. I have put Vaseline on my face a few times during extreme cold weather, but I only use a small amount so my face won't become too oily. Also if you want super soft lips, try putting a Vaseline on your lips. I do this in the Winter especially before bed. My lips are so soft by morning. Did you know that women also used to add sugar to Vaseline to create a skincare scrub? That is a technique that is still used today.

Dove White Moisturizing Beauty Bar

Dove has been s staple in my home since I was a little girl. I always remember seeing Dove. I was only 6 when my grandmother died, but I remember that she had the smoothest softest face. My mom told me that my grandmother used Dove often and that her during her beauty routine. A cleansed face, and a moisturized faced.

I like that Dove Beauty is so gentle, and cleanses my face well. I think that Dove will always be a staple in my skincare routine. Did I mention that I love the way Dove smells?!

The evolution of beauty and skincare has changed in so many ways over the years. What are some of your favorite beauty/skincare products or hacks? What did your mothers or grandmothers use during their beauty routines?