3 ideas for an at-home spa night

Today I am partnering with Clean and Clear to bring you a few of my favorite ideas to create the perfect at-home spa night!

Last year for our first wedding anniversary, my husband Kyle surprised me and took me to an amazing weekend getaway in the mountains. We had the opportunity to have an all day pass to the spa at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. To say we enjoyed it would be an understatement!

While we certainly can't take a monthly visit to a spa for obvious reasons, I can attempt to create an at-home spa atmosphere and pamper myself on occasion! I love that it's a special treat, and I find it so enjoyable. I wanted to share a few of my favorite ways to turn a regular night in my wallpaper filled bathroom feel a little more luxurious! 

I like to start by applying a nice mask that targets whatever skin concern I might have. Sometimes I will do a hydrating mask, but the majority of the time, I opt for a detoxifying or skin clearing mask. On this particular night, I decided to try a mask from Clean and Clear. They recently sent me both their Night Relaxing and Hydrating Jelly Eye Mask Sheet and their Night Relaxing and Purifying Clay Mask. The clay mask applied well, and I love that it's oil free. The scent is perfect for calming you before bed, and I love hope affordable this product is.

I also love getting a gel mani at the salon, but it can get so pricey to keep up with a fresh manicure. I've been a huge fan of painting my nails since I was a Junior or Senior in high school. I've had a large collection of nail polish for some time now, and Essie holds the spot of favorite polish brand for me. If I'm going to paint my nails at home though, it needs to be with the Essie Gel Couture line. It typically lasts me about a week, which is pretty good for your average drugstore polish. I apply two coats of the color and one coat of the clear topcoat to seal it, and I'm good to go!

Finally, take the time to light a candle. I love this lavender candle from Home Goods, because it makes our room smell just like a spa! You could also get some eucalyptus essential oils going in a diffuser. There's nothing like eucalyptus to make you feel pampered and relaxed!

These are just a few quick things that I enjoy doing to pamper myself and make a regular ole' night at home a little more fancy! 

I hope this gives you some ideas and inspires you to create a spa-like environment at home one night this week. 

XOXO,

Emily 

Skincare Routine Part 2

Now I'm no dermatologist, but in my opinion, healthy skin is hydrated skin. I've already shared the skincare routine I use to fight the occasional breakout. If you have sensitive skin like me, products with salicylic acid can be drying for your skin, so I like to alternate my acne prevention products with hydrating products.

There's nothing worse than having big patches of rough, dry, peeling skin. It happens to me every winter - when the temperature gets colder, I get a nice big patch of dry skin on my forehead and occasionally around my nose/chin/mouth area. I used to just deal with it, because I can't stand the feeling that oily (yet moisturizing) lotion leaves behind.

When Neutrogena sent me their Hydro Boost products to test out, I fell in love. I'm not just saying this because they sent them to me, these products are good, y'all. If you're like me and want hydrated skin without feeling like your face could easily serve as a Slip 'N Slide, then trust me on this. The cleansers are good, but the gold is in the Hydro Boost Water Gel and Multivitamin Booster.

If you read part 1 of my skincare routine, you know I've been cleansing my face in the mornings with the Neutrogena Acne Proofing cleansers. After I get out of the shower, I've been applying either the Hyrdo Boost Water Gel or the Multivitamin Booster. This leaves my skin so hydrated, plump, and most importantly, NOT oily. The price tag on these two products is a tad bit higher than a normal drugstore moisturizer, but the quality of the products is much better in my opinion, making it totally worth it!

Are you a thick moisturizer gal? Have you tried a gel creme? I'd love to hear what you use to keep your skin healthy and hydrated!

Skincare Routine Part 1

It's no secret that I love Neutrogena products, but let me tell you why.

No.1 - They're easily accessible. You can find them at Walmart, Target, CVS (or any drugstore for that matter), and online!

No. 2 - They're affordable. Quality makeup and skincare products can get outrageously pricey. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely worth it to invest in your skin, but if you're on a budget, having affordable options is so helpful.

I recently worked with Neutrogena on some posts, and they so kindly sent me a couple of their skincare lines to try. While I do not struggle with acne on a regular basis, I do have the occasional breakout and those pesky under-the-skin bumps. I like using a product with salicylic acid to fight these concerns. The Neutrogena Acne Proofing products are gentle on my skin and are a great preventive product.

I wanted to share my skincare routine in two parts, because I have been alternating two completely different skincare products to keep my skin healthy and hydrated.

My morning skincare routine as of late has typically involved cleansing with either the Neutrogena Acne Proofing Gel Cleanser or Daily Scrub. I follow up with a hydrating moisturizer (more on that in part 2) and apply my makeup for the day!

What's your favorite face cleanser? Do you look for products with salicylic acid?