The Review: Rodin Olio Lusso
The oil to end all face oils.
This weekend, I spent the better majority giving my makeup bag a deep cleaning. I'd gotten to the point where I was rotating between a lot of products and I didn't really know what was working for me and what was mostly so-so. I'm a big fan of pairing things down to the essentials—simple products with minimal ingredients. I justify splurging on quality products that are effective because, hey, it's my face!
I've shared my love for Rodin products via Instagram many times, but wanted to give an update since I'd been recently introduced to Linda's signature oil and I've been avidly using it since. My skin is looking so plump and hydrated that I'm praying I never reach the bottom of the bottle. I apply this rich, hydrating oil at night, waking up to a radiant, glowing complexion. My skin is really fond of oil-based moisturizers and serums. The product really sinks into the skin and feels like it's doing something, whereas I find that most creams and gels sit on top of the skin. I immediately noticed a difference using this product. The packaging is also super chic—this oil just makes you look and feel expensive.
You only need a drop or two to cover your whole face. I'm telling you: this stuff is it. Your face will thank you.
All Things Self-Care and Wellness
Everyone tells you not to fuss with trying new skincare and beauty products leading up to your big day—which, as you know, is something I love to do—so I’ve been researching and integrating a bevy of body products that would help me get glowing from neck to toe. And I recently discovered a brand that is too good not to share!
I learned of Pursoma last year when I was looking for clean, nontoxic bath products and have been a fan of the brand ever since. The plant-based, all-natural line of bath and body care will leave you rejuvenated, detoxified—and, yes—glowy! Plus, there’s something so therapeutic about soaking in the bath after a long day or hard workout that’s good for the mind and spirit.
If you’re new to the brand, I recommend their Ritual Wellness Kit as an introduction. It includes an assortment of their lovely bath soaks, as well as a body brush (which I will get into below). After a few weeks of trying out new things and getting a routine in place… my skin has never been so happy! Which is not a common statement that I throw out there in the thick of winter.
My body and complexion tends to run dry and thirsty this time of year, leaving me looking dull. Since starting this ritual and dry-brushing every day, my skin has truly never looked or felt more soft and smooth. Below, find my twice-a-week ritual that is the perfect way to welcome spring with the glowiest, healthiest skin ever.
Step 1: Dry Brush
Dry brushing was something that I’ve always been curious about but never really took the time for. I mean, who wants to add more steps to an already busy regimen? Trust me when I say that this is an absolute game-changer and once you start, you’ll wonder why you hesitated to begin in the first place.
While the tub fills up, I take my body brush and run it over my skin in gentle, circular motions. It feels absolutely incredible and has so many benefits—from increasing circulation to stimulating the lymphatic system to aiding digestion and improving the look of cellulite. Regardless of all of this, it feels fantastic and exfoliates skin for a glow you can’t fake with any product. Even if you don’t have time for a soak, taking time for this single step each day before a shower is worth it.
Step 2: Choose Your Treatment
My favorite thing about Pursoma is that each of their products feels truly personalized. There’s a treatment for whatever ails you, whether it’s sore muscles, feeling under-the-weather, low energy, or if you’re just in need of a digital detox for better sleep. Not that you need a reason for a good soak!
Step 3: Bliss Out
After pouring them into a warm bath, I allow myself to truly disconnect from everything. I tend to overthink things and my mind runs a million miles per minute, but within these moments I allow myself to enjoy the feeling of calmness. Sometimes I’ll enjoy a warm cup of tea, sometimes I don’t. But in these moments, I know it’s ok to focus on just being.
After soaking for the allotted time, I emerge feeling completely rejuvenated and energized. (Unless, of course, I’m using the Digital Detox which is seriously the best sleep aid ever. I feel so incredibly relaxed and ready to curl up in bed afterwards.)
Another thing I love about Pursoma is that I don’t feel the need to use any oils or creams on my skin afterward. Though you totally could if you wanted and the brand makes some beautiful options, which you can find here. The Pursoleil Body Oil is next on my list to try! The lavender and blood orange scent sounds amazing.
But for someone who has been trying to simplify their routine over the years, this has been amazing. A two-step routine to glowy, moisturized skin? Plus, the benefit of total relaxation? Sign me up!
Hopefully this inspires you to take more time for yourself this season, as we shed layers and things once again start to bloom.
Shop more of my Pursoma favorites here:
Do you have any tips or tricks for the perfect bath? Any self-care rituals that have changed the game for you?
What the Hell is Jade Rolling?
The clean way to glow.
What the hell is jade rolling?
The idea seem granola, but advocates say it's the secret to get a glowy, fresh complexion. But let’s be real (we’re all friends here)—does it really work?
The short-term science behind jade rolling is that it revs up your circulation, helping to de-puff your eyes and promote lymphatic drainage giving you a glow, albeit temporarily. Consistent jade rolling can help improve skin elasticity and even out your complexion.
It's actually a really simple way to get the effects of high-tech devices like the Ziip and NuFace, without the hefty price tag. I noticed an immediate difference in my skin after using one and it lasted for hours.
I use a jade roller from Mount Lai that I keep in the fridge when not in use. (Trust me on this.) There's nothing better to come home to than a cool facial massage after a long day. So light a candle, turn on your favorite reality tv show and get rolling. Here's how to do it:
Step 1
Cleanse your face.
Step 2
Apply your favorite serum, moisturizer, or gel face mask.
Step 3
Get rolling! Start at your forehead, using outward and upward motions for about two minutes. If things get sticky, you can spritz with your favorite face mist to keep things moving.
I love using facial oils and serums when I roll—it helps increase the circulation to the face and helping with cell rebuilding, collagen boosting, and lymphatic drainage.
Step 5
Wipe off any excess product (if using a mask) and let the oils and serums sink in.
And voila, you’re done! You can roll every day, but I aim for three or four times a week. Shop my favorite oils for jade rolling:
Love, L'Occitane
To me, my skincare routine is the most important. It's the base of all of my looks and I want my skin to look and feel great. I am completely converted/dying over the new Shea Cleansing Oil, Ultra Rich Comforting Cream and Light Comforting Cream from L'Occitane.
I’ve always believed that evening skincare rituals have the most profound impact in the transitional months. My skin is usually fussy this time of year, so I like to give it a little extra TLC. Plus, when my glow starts to fade, I always want my skin to look it's best.
I also think as I age, the more I appreciate products! I'm always so grateful when I find something new to love, so thought I would let you in on the new products I am currently using in my routine.
To me, my skincare routine is the most important. It's the base of all of my looks and I want my skin to look and feel great. I am completely converted/dying over the new Shea Cleansing Oil, Ultra Rich Comforting Cream and Light Comforting Cream from L'Occitane.
Everything I’ve tried from the line is fantastic, and I’m truly speechless over this cleanser. This stuff do wonders to my skin. I’ve been using it in the evenings before bed to remove makeup and I wake up with an even, hydrated, and dewy complexion. I never thought I'd be using oil to cleanse my skin, but here we are! This is truly a wonderful new addition to my routine. My skin has never looked better!
I also love that the line has both a light and rich formula for their creams. I like a light, whipped texture for daytime and under makeup, but at night my skin craves something really rich. I love the feeling of this sinking into my skin at night, it feels like a luxurious treat.
I love to rotate out my products, as I think that your skin craves different things at different times of the year. I highly recommend trying out this new line, available at Sephora stores and online.
What are your go-to skincare products for Spring?
*This post was sponsored, but all opinions are my own.
AILLEA Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale
Here’s what I’m stocking up on.
One of my favorite sources for clean beauty AILLEA is offering 20% off store-wide Black Friday through Cyber Monday (November 23-26). The best part? This promotion is happening both in-store and online.
If you’re shopping online, use promo code CHEERSAILLEA at checkout.
AILLEA recently opened their Charleston location and it has quickly become my go-to. The founder, Kathryn, has discerning taste when it comes to what’s in store—only products that are free of parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals and endocrine disrupters make the cut. They now offer natural skincare treatments, like facials and sugaring (more on that soon!).
I highly recommend checking out the Charleston store if you haven’t been. For those outside of the Lowcountry, AILLEA has three other locations: Denver, Atlanta, and Raleigh.
Here’s what I’m stocking up on this season:
Farm to Bottle Skincare from Etta + Billie
That feeling when your skincare routine is on point and you don’t want to change a thing because your skin is glowing. Enter: Etta + Billie.
That feeling when your skincare routine is on point and you don’t want to change a thing because your skin is glowing. As I make the transition to a more natural skincare routine, I look to brands that use the most natural, effective ingredients possible. I feel like my skin (both face and body) responds well to products with minimal, clean ingredients.
Enter: Etta + Billie. I was immediately drawn to the brand and their adorable packaging—like something you'd see in a very chic, French kitchen. When I learned that the line was inspired by the beauty of food and drink I totally made the connection.
With the fall season in full swing, there's something so comforting about using luxurious oils and skincare to hydrate your face and body.As the temps cool down, my lips have been craving moisture and the Ginger Orange Lip Balm is everything. My mom wore a lot of ginger-scented products growing up, so I'm instantly reminded of home.
For long days, I love to relax in a warm shower and the Grapefruit Cardamom Body Wash is the perfect pick-me-up. Add in a drop of the Lavender Body Oil and you can make your home feel like a personal spa. (Pro Tip: I love to use this oil on any bug bites or burns. Southern living, y'all.)
What I love even most about the brand? They're committed to sustainable practices—so you can feel good about what you're putting on your body and how it impacts the environment. They're a certified Green Business from San Francisco.
Good Clean Beauty: My ILIA Beauty Picks
How can a non-toxic, natural line be this good?
I was introduced to ILIA a few years ago when I first started to dip my toes into the world of clean beauty. I remember my first product, lipstick in the shade In My Room, and being so impressed. The formula was creamy and long-lasting, the color was so flattering. And I thought, how can a non-toxic, natural product be that good?
But natural beauty products come a long way since then and Ilia continues to be one of my old standbys for everyday beauty. I even started gifting the brand to my family and friends, because I know they'll convert once they see just how lovely the formulas are.
ILIA uses only the purest, sustainable ingredients. Each product is filled with good-for-your-skin active botanicals that nourish your skin, not just cover it up. I love the endless options of pigments for creating beautiful looks. The products are super long-lasting, too, which I love because I like to look fresh all day and not have to re-apply.
I recently put ILIA products to the test and let me just say, I am SO impressed. After hiking 10 miles in the heat these products stayed put and I didn't feel like I was wearing anything at all. I like to look put together and protect my skin, always, but not actually feel like I'm wearing anything. My skin but better, you know? I also love the I can share these product with my little sister who's just starting to get into makeup and know that she's using the best, safest products possible.
Here are some of my favorite ILIA products and find out how to get the look (above):
The Cucumber Water Stick was my best friend. I glided it over my temples and eye area, cheekbones and bridge of my nose. It's like a toner in a solid formula that really perked up my skin, giving a cooling sensation that depuffs and hydrates—and it feels amazing. Because it's colorless, you don't have to worry about not having a mirror to apply. It's pretty much foolproof, giving me that really pretty, natural glisten that you get after exercise or spending all day in the sun. This is one product I don't mind carrying around with me throughout the day. And if you travel a lot, you'll love that the size and packaging is TSA approved. Perfect for Summer! I like to keep mine in the fridge for extra cooling powers.
ILIA Sheer Vivid Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (swatched above) has been on constant rotation in my routine this summer. The formula is semi-matte and looks like skin, but better. I absolutely love this lightweight product and that is gives me extra SPF protection throughout the day. I layer it over my daily sunscreen and it applies beautifully. You can't tell I'm wearing anything at all, but it helps diffuse redness and any imperfections that may be there. It helps fight free radicals and pollution, but still allows my skin and freckles to peek through. And it feels super moisturizing, like my skin is getting better the more I keep using it. I absolutely love it!
ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 in Bombora is the perfect summer color. It's a lip balm, lipstick and SPF hybrid with a really gorgeous, universally flattering peachy orange hue. It's honestly my new favorite lip color, especially for nighttime when I come back from the beach with a golden tan. It's filled with great ingredients like cocoa and shea butters to hydrate, zinc oxide for natural SPF (I don't use anything with chemicals). The color is buildable, so you can apply a sheer wash of color or build it up for a bolder look. It's moisturizing and makes my lips feel super soft all day.
Like my look, as seen above? Here are the ILIA products I used to get it!
ILIA Cucumber Water Stick
ILIA Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Hanalei
ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 in Bonbora
ILIA Mascara in Shadow of a Doubt
ILIA Pure Eyeliner in Sweet Jane (also used on brows)
ILIA Illuminator in Cosmic Dancer
ILIA Multi-Stick in I Put a Spell on You
Shop them all on ILIA's website. Shipping is free on orders $75+!
Glossier Invisible Shield Review
Glossier's newest sunscreen that protects your skin from, well, everything.
I have a big confession to make: I've never worn sunscreen.
I know, I know. You're probably thinking how can someone who claims to be so diligent with their skincare and beauty routine neglect the most important step. But hear me out.
Most sunscreens I've tried (and trust me, I've tried a lot) left my skin feeling greasy, congested and felt like I was wearing a mask. Even the so-called "luxury" formulas still felt like the same thing—just camouflaged in shinier packaging at twice the cost.
When I heard Glossier was dropping Invisible Shield SPF 35 this week, I was skeptical. I'd come to accept that I wasn't a sunscreen girl and that I wasn't destined to look 18 forever. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the G-team felt the exact same way that I did and wanted to create a sunscreen for the sunscreen-averse.
The formula leans more like a gel than a cream and disappears into the skin, leaving nothing but a smooth and primed canvas behind. It comes in a pump tube so you can dispense the perfect amount of product. I like to apply it all over my face and bring it down to my neck and any areas of my chest that are exposed. Your body can age, too!
In short, this one's a winner. Shop it here.