skincare fave: Kate Somerville Daily Detox Cleanser

if you're looking for a refreshing cleanser that will leave your skin looking fabulous, i highly recommend you consider one that has quickly become my favorite: Kate Somerville Daily Detox Cleanser.

full of yummy ingredients {phytic acic, salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids} to gently exfoliate and detox skin, Daily Detox also washes away dirt, oil and makeup, and nourishes skin without stripping it of essential moisture. the tangerine-citrus scent makes me oh-so happy, and because it's concentrated, a little goes a long way!

for more info and to order Kate Somerville Daily Detox Cleanser, visit katesomerville.com

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

currently loving...

bonjour, beauties and happy tuesday! hope your week has been splendid so far...

to be quite honest, life has been taking me through some twists and turns over the last several months. just in the last few days i've been thrown for another loop. i know i could easily throw myself a blowout pity party, but instead am choosing to stay positive and allow each situation, complication and hurdle to teach me...

and i also have some fabulous things bringing a bit of bliss to my days!


this quote

early morning walks {and interval runs 2-3x a week} in the crisp, clear winter air
the stitcher app
Downton Abbey season 2 {are you watching?!}
daily yoga and meditation practice
fresh flowers...

participating in #febphotoaday. this sweet, daily photo-taking challenge was started last month, but i didn't discover it until it was almost over. i was tre excite to discover its creator, Fat Mum Slim, created one for this month and will continue each month this year! join in yourself and follow my pics on twitter and instagram, @thebeautygirl. :)



a fun, new book...

Kate Somerville Resurfacing Peel Pads are the most fabulous little facial treats. rich in alpha hydroxy acids, they leave skin looking and feeling smoother, brighter and have been a fabulous addition to my skincare routine {twice a week} for the last month. each box is enough to last 2 months. to gorgeous skin! :)


i'd love to know: what are you loving right now?

Kate Somerville product sent to me for review consideration

organic beauty: Cecilia Wong Skincare

i was fortunate enough to receive samples of Cecilia Wong's amazing anti-aging, organic line of products and, well...i'm loving them!

products i used include, but are not limited to, Awakening Gel Cleanser, Rejuvenating Toner mist, and moisturizer {for oily/overactive skin}.

free of all the yucky parabens, sulfates or artificial colors and fragrances, the cleanser has a name that is perfect fit for its name, awakening. the formula is refreshing, smells bright with citrus, and leaves my skin so clean, without over-drying it...

the rejuvenating toner keeps hydration levels up in my skin with luxe ingredients like chamomile water, rosemary and lavender {ahhh...},

and topped with the moisturizer, my skin was always left looking fabulously radiant.


visit the Cecilia Wong website to learn more about this beautiful line, its creator, and if you're in the nyc area, you can treat your skin to a facial at her park avenue spa!

products samples provided by the brand's pr for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

eye creams for every budget...

for any beauty maven, eye creams are essential. for the prevention and/or treatment of dark circles, discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, it's safe to say that these concentrated creams {and gels} play a major part in the skincare routine.

when it comes to which are best for you, more often than not, it's not just a matter of which product is best and actually will work, but also what is most affordable for your budget.

thankfully, there are many fabulous options on the market that are effective and won't send you into debt. i've used the following eye creams {on their own, separately, over the last several months} and they are all effective and have varying price points...

Caudalie Premier Cru the eye cream is the priciest {just under the hundred dollar mark}, but lives up to its promise of delivering a healthy, youthful look to the eye area. tetrapeptides and grape seed polyphenols {antioxidants!} are to thank for the results this rich, iridescent cream gives. highly concentrated, this gem gave my skin a more hydrated feel as well as a supple and radiant look.

Philosophy Eye Hope is in the mid-price range and my favorite for reducing puffiness and keeping fine lines at bay. this popular eye cream is heavy with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, but is completely lightweight and fast-absorbing.

the Yes To brand offers eye products that are affordable and can be found in your local mass retailer {CVS, Target}. Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel {not pictured} does exactly that, thanks to ingredients like chamomile and cucumber, while Yes To Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment gives eyes a radiance boost and aids in keeping the delicate area of the eye firm. both are rich in antioxidants and didn't irritate my eyes at all.


tell me: do you spend more on your eye cream because it's what works best for you and is worth the splurge, or do you only use what you can afford??

caudalie and yes to brands sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)