Oldies but Goodies: Shop Your Stash pt. 1

​Hey guys! I hope everyone is safe and doing well, or as well as can be. Today I'm here to talk about some "oldies but goodies"  or "shopping your own stash". Basically some great products that I've talked about before and rediscovering them. Only the best of the best that have stood the test of time. Most will still be available, if you do want to get them, but the whole idea is to inspire you to explore some products you've loved before that might still be in your collection.

​I'm going to go by retailers as much as I can, because I think that will help me organize everything a little better and easier to link if you did want to look at the products at a later date. I want you to know I'm not ignoring the situation we're facing right now, I know the world is upside down. I'm just trying to put out content to get your mind off things for at least spend a little extra time on your skin as maybe an at home spa day.

I'm going to start with products I've gotten from Beautylish.

One of my first purchases from them was the May Lindstrom Problem Solver Mask and also The Blue Cocoon. I didn't buy them at the same time because it is expensive products but I love them both very much. The Problem Solver Mask is a HUGE dry mask, where you mix the powder with water and apply it to the face. I will NEVER run out of this guys. You get so much product. It is over 8 oz (250 ml)...that's a lot considering you don't need to apply a lot to your face (1 tsp is recommended). It is a Cacao and Charcoal mask that is packed with antioxidants through spices, vitamin C, etc. that gives you a tingling and slight heating sensation while it's on. You leave it on for about 30 minutes. Since it is powder and water mixed it's going to be somewhat of a physical exfoliation. It smells very spicy which I love and I even have the mask bowl that is made by "Melissa Ceramics" on IG who does beautiful pottery. 
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All her products come in Miron Glass which is a deep blue/violet glass and the purpose of it is to preserve the products inside longer by filtering out light around it. The Blue Cocoon is a balm that I would very much label as a treatment step. It has beautiful Blue Tansy in it which you're seeing a lot more in products these days especially "green beauty". This is especially beneficial to irritated skin that is inflamed because Blue Tansy is "anti-inflammatory". It's very soothing to the skin upon contact and hydrating. Also, it smells amazing. I can't explain it but most everything blue tansy that I've tried, always smells so good.

"Upon contact with skin, this stunning concentrate melts immediately into a gorgeous fluid. This is effective both as your primary moisturizer or as a special treatment for skin that is sensitive, inflamed, damaged, acneic or irritated. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and soothes the skin in the most beautiful way, providing the perfect level of hydration and healing, eliminating redness and irritation." 

I don't use this all the time because, while I absolutely love balms, I have to be careful with the butters in them. Mainly because sometimes it's just too much for my face. Especially since I like doing several steps in my routine. 

​Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum. This is also quite pricey and housed in Miron Glass if I'm not mistaken.  Since I've started using it they've added an Essence which I'm dying to try! There is also a set you can buy that has both the serum and the essence in it. On the Vintner Daughter website I'm pretty sure they offer a smaller size and also a bigger size of the Botanical Serum. It's a multi-functional facial oil with 22 active ingredients. When I got mine it came with a straight up mini book. I saved that book guys! So much info. April is absolutely lovely, and her story is amazing about how she came to create this serum. They're a small company. They're consistent and amazingly helpful though. It's such a journey, in the best way, of using their products.

​Viseart Palettes, in particular the 12 pan matte palettes are ALWAYS amazing. I always pack them to travel with, I always use them on a friend who's makeup I might be doing for an event because they don't disappoint. I can handle them kinda rough, (which I try not to. I'm not smashing it with a hammer folks) because of the simplistic but sturdy packaging it doesn't matter if the lid gets scratched or if I get makeup on it because it's easy to clean. It's not like getting makeup on a textured palette packaging that might stain it or ruin the whole look. They're very compact in size and there is no wasted space, so they're easy to store or to take with you.  They have even smaller palettes for travel which are really great too but I will always ride or die for the "Warm Mattes". RIDE OR DIE!

​I also really like Embroylisse products. Their moisturizer Lait-Crème Concentré is one I really love. It's one I notice a lot of on set MUA's or Red Carpet looks have in the routine that day. It has a few different uses, it can be your daily moisturizer, a mask, it can be used to remove makeup if you want, an after shave and apparently "a baby care product". They have really good cleansers in my experience. They're affordable. If you want a lighter moisturizer there is a Hydra Serum and a Hydra Cream Light. There's also apparently a restorative moisturizer for weakened or irritated skin called "Cicalisse"  that is $15, which due to the name makes me wonder if it's comparable to the Cicapair cream from Dr. Jart..... I'll check it out and report back.

​Indie Lee was some of the first skincare products I started to branch out with by just doing my own research for specific treatments. Her Co-Q 10 toner is very very good. She's always so lovely and sweet. She does "clean skincare" with an "ethical approach" and I if that's what you're looking for I'd point you in this direction. Her prices are crazy, she often has multiple sizes of products like travel sizes which are a good way to try a product without breaking the bank. If you're a skincare lover like me, travel sizes last forever. 

I'm going to leave it here because I don't want to overwhelm you. Take a look into your skincare and makeup and see if there's a much loved product you have forgotten about (not expired hopefully) and see what you find. I wish you well and continued prayers for everyone's safety and for full recovery to those who are suffering. Keep your chin up!