It’s hard to believe that February is right around the corner. The minutes, hours and days from March 2020 to December 31, 2020 seemed to pass by at the universe’s own pace. It could just be a placebo effect tied to the new year, but I genuinely feel as though 2021 has already claimed itself as a year filled with purpose and intentionality. Whether it is moving across the world or simply spicing up your nail routine, change is change- no matter how big or how small. I am a believer in the saying “we cannot become what we want by remaining what we are”. One of the simplest ways to motivate yourself to make positive changes in your life is to invest in self care. This past month, I encouraged myself to try out new products and grow into the best version of myself possible, from the inside-out. Here are some of my favorite products that I hope you try out as well. You won’t regret it!
Ouai Hair Oil: For a woman with a head of naturally thick hair, I surprisingly have never been one to dabble in the hair product realm. With my inherently oily skin and hair texture, I have always thought that adding additional oils to either of those areas would result in greasiness. Yet, here I am at age 22 discovering that this is just not the case. Originally, I wanted to try out the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil; however, with a price tag of $87, I knew that there was a better alternative out there. The Ouai Hair Oil is composed of 3 key oils: ama, borage and baobab seed. This luxury combination provides a high-gloss look to your hair, without the greasy feeling. I apply this product to my hair straight out of the shower, and once dry, my hair looks lush and shiny and has that “straight-of-the-salon” feeling. For the affordable price of $28, I think everyone needs this hair oil.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: This past year, I have been trying out various products from ‘The Ordinary’. From the iconic AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (the red face mask) to the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum, these products have proven to positively impact my skin. Previously, I exclusively used the Niacinamide serum on my skin day and night, and it did initially cause my skin to “purge”. While this (Niacinamide) serum left my skin looking bright and taut, it does lack in hydration. Upon experimenting with the Hyaluronic serum, I believe I found the perfect combination of products. This serum is the perfect thick consistency and provides your skin with “multi-depth hydration”. Morning and night, I first apply the Hyaluronic serum to my skin and then apply the Niacinamide serum. I have found that this combination reduces the size of my pores and leaves my skin feeling healthy and glowy. Plus, it’s only $6.80.
Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil: These winter months have left my skin feeling extremely dry. Lotion sometimes does the trick, but I was on the hunt for a product that would provide the ultimate, rich feeling I was seeking. I received this product as a sample in an Ulta package, and knew that I had to try it. It is a seaweed, açaí berry oil and passion fruit seed oil infused product. I apply this product to my legs and arms after the shower, and my skin is immediately met with the most luxurious feeling oil. This Osea body oil leaves my skin feeling soft, dewy and….not greasy! This product rings in a $48 for 5 ounces of product which I think is a great investment, especially if you’re wanting to achieve soft skin in 2021.
La Roche-Posay Purifying Foaming Cleanser: I achieved classic little-sister status when I saw this product on my older sister’s vanity. One evening, I secretly borrowed it and was blown away by the lather this cleanser achieved. I have always struggled with problematic skin, so naturally I seek out cleansers that leave my skin feeling 110% clean- lather playing a big role in this. For the affordable price of $14.99 (only $8.99 on Ulta’s website right now), this cleanser is a MUST HAVE. It is sulfate free, oil free, fragrance free, non-comedogenic, paraben free and most importantly, sensitive skin approved! Also, a dime size pump of this product is more than enough! Seriously, if you pump any more than that, you will be met with a face full of bubbles and a tough time breathing (learned this the hard way). With that being said, this product will probably last me until 2022. A total bang for my buck!
Ritual Multivitamins 18+: Speaking of my older sister, she gifted me these multivitamins for Christmas. I am naturally a mellow human who truthfully is probably lacking a few vitamins here and there. With the help of this multivitamin, I can easily consume 9 key ingredients including Folate, Omega-3 DHA, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Iron, Boron, Vitamin E, Magnesium and Vitamin K2. I can truthfully say that this combination of ingredients has already had an impact on my brain health and productivity. My thoughts are less foggy, and I feel healthier. For $30 a month, you can mindlessly improve your brain, bone and blood health. I have only been taking these for less than a month, but to see results in such little time is an amazing sign! I will definitely be investing in this vitamin subscription for the months to come.
2021 is the year for investing in yourself. Small changes can evolve into the greatest transformations. I hope you give some of these products a try and let me know your honest thoughts!
‘Til next time!
XO, B