As you know, I’m all about a good faux glow. I love a good spray tan but found that you can get results that are just as good (and for a fraction of the price) with self tanner at home. No one wants to look like an oompa loompa, but that doesn’t mean self tanner has to be scary! It takes a little practice and dedication, but you can get a glow that’ll have everyone convinced you just came back from a tropical vacation with some easy at home self tanning tips (and the right product).
At Home Self Tanning Tips:
+ Shave and exfoliate – always shave and exfoliate your skin the day before so you get rid of any dead skin on your body. This allows product to go on smoothly, dry skin stuck on your body will create patchy spots that make it look obvious you used self tanner.
+ Moisturize – moisturize before applying self tanner to create a smooth base for the product. Make sure it has completely absorbed before using self tanner.
+ Use a tanning mitt – you can rub product in with your hands, but a tanning mitt ensures a smoother and more consistent application.
+ Avoid your hands and feet – these areas of your body absorb tanner more easily and get darker than the rest of your body. Apply a thicker moisturizer or barrier cream on your hands, feet, elbows, and knees to keep them from getting too dark or orange.
+ Don’t shower or sweat right away – kind of no brainer but at home self tanners usually need at least a few hours to set or else they will streak or wash off.
+ Layer product – this helps you get a deeper color that lasts longer! A lot of people think one coat is enough, but I often have to apply a couple layers before I get the color (think: post vacation glow) I want.
+ Use a lemon to fix mistakes – believe it or not this works! If you accidentally use too much or apply tanner unevenly, use a little lemon to color correct. Think of it as an all natural Tide eraser pen for your skin.
+ Choose the right product – my favorite by far is St. Tropez, I love the new dark mousse formula and the golden bronze color it gives you.
Some other products I’ve tried and had good results with:
This is your daily reminder to wear sunscreen and protect your skin from the power of the sun! But in all seriousness, sun damage is no joke and no one wants premature wrinkles. As much as we all look better with a tan (sharing my favorite sunless tanners later this week) and need Vitamin D from the sun, it’s always better to fake your tan and limit your sun exposure.
This year I really I noticed how much my skin is impacted by what I eat, drink, what products I use, and how much sun exposure I get. It’s been a bit of a wake up call, but also made me want to take preventative steps to take proper care of my skin more than ever. A healthy skincare routine for me always, always begins with lots of sunscreen, especially in the summer when I’m out and about more than usual.
Most of my favorite sunscreens can actually be found at your local Rite Aid. I’ve been using Neutrogena brand sunscreen products since I was a kid growing up in Minnesota. In the summertime, my boyfriend and I like to host people by the pool and we always keep these products on hand: Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizing Sunscreen, Ultra Sheer Sunscreen, and Beach Defense Sunscreen spray. The products and tested and vouched for by dermatologists, and they also come at an affordable price point. If you’re looking for a cleaner mineral sunscreen, Jessica from Clean Beauty Gals recommends Badger Clear Zinc Oxide Sport Sunscreen SPF 35 as a great option at an affordable price point.
On top of wearing sunscreen, here are some of my summer skincare tips to keep your skin hydrated, protected, and glowing all summer long.
Summer Skincare Tips:
+ You are what you eat! Diet matters more than anything (think: getting sushi facefrom too much salt), and since your skin is made up of more than 60% water, eating water based fruits and vegetables can help clear your complexion. In the summertime I love eating berries, watermelon, cucumbers, and other in season produce to keep my skin glowing and hydrated. If you’re having some issues with your skin, try cutting out gluten, processed sugars, fried foods, dairy, and excess sodium to see if that helps. Alcohol is another huge skin buster – as much as I love wine, it’s incredibly high in sugar which is one of the biggest culprits for red, splotchy skin.
+ Partake in routine maintenance. Even if monthly facials aren’t in your schedule or budget, consider doing a facial every 3 months when the seasons change. This helps exfoliate and cleanse your skin so your face can absorb products better. Routine maintenance helps prevent more drastic problems that need attending to in the future.
+ Cool down after the sun. I love using my ice rollerin the summer to help tame redness, puffiness, and inflammation. I also try to find products that are cooling and lighter in consistency. Pop some of your favorite creams in the fridge for cool surprise after a day in the sun.
+ Cover up! Even if you’re wearing sunscreen, consider wearing a hat and sunglasses when you’re planning on getting a lot of sun exposure.
I’ll be the first to admit, I totally bought into the Glossier hype. With all of their new product launches and the recent opening of their store in LA, I’ve been getting tons of questions about Glossier products. Their branding is so on point, but are the products actually any good? I’ve given my honest review before, and now I want to share my absolute favorite Glossier products. Out of their entire line, these are the products I absolutely love and continue to repurchase again and again. I would never recommend any product that falls short of that standard. So be sure to read out to learn what the BEST Glossier products are.
One of Glossier’s newest product launches also happens to be one of my favorite products. I’ve tried so many different exfoliators, and this ranks among my top 3. Glossier’s website claims this product transforms you skin in 4 weeks, and I have to agree. Within a week I saw a noticeable different in the texture and appearance of my face. It also happens to be extremely gentle, so it didn’t leave me skin red or raw the way exfoliating products or peels have in the past.
I’ve raved about this product so much, at this point I’m sure I sound like a broken record. But I really just love this brow gel. If you’re already blessed with good brows you will love it even more. And if you’re not blessed, this gel will trick you into thinking you are. I use this everyday and it’s shortened the time it takes me to get ready in the morning.
Use this for a “woke up like this” glow. This highlighter makes you glow from within, if that makes sense. It’s not overly sparkly or glittery – it gives you skin a really nice, natural sheen. Perfect if you’re going for a dewy makeup look. Wear it over foundation or on your bare skin, people won’t be able to stop remarking on how fresh you look. I wear this when I’m trying to trick people into thinking I got a full night’s sleep. The other best part about this highlighter is how easy it is to use – you can literally apply it all over your face and you won’t look greasy or like you rubbed your face in glitter.
The only cleanser I keep multiples of. I love how gentle it is, yet it also takes off all of my makeup, and I have multiple cleansers I rotate through (and I’m constantly trying new products), but this cleanser is a staple in my bathroom and gym bag. I keep coming back to it because it’s so reliable. You also cannot beat the price!
If you’re not changing your skincare products seasonally, you may want to start switching it up. Our skincare needs are different based on where we live and what season it is, so it’s important to be adjusting your routine throughout the year. I’m constantly testing new products for the blog, and these are the products that have really made a difference in my skin’s appearance and texture.
If you’re wondering if Drunk Elephant products are worth the price, the answer is a resounding YES! I’ve really liked every product I’ve tried from them, especially this eye cream. I use just a little around my eyes before bedtime and in the morning, and I’ve noticed a huge difference in my dark circles. Vitamin C is an active ingredient in this concentrated serum, I swear it almost instantly brightens up your eyes!
Slather this mask on your face before going to bed and wake up with baby soft skin. Nothing better than waking up with completely moisturized and refreshed skin. This works wonders on my dry skin, but if you have oilier skin you might want to skip this product as it might be too moisturizing.
My girlfriend introduced these to me when we both took red eye flights to NYC last year. These eye patches worked miracles on my tired eyes and helped me look way more awake than I felt. These are absolute life savers.
I cannot get enough of these peel pads!! When I’m feeling lazy or don’t time for a full on facial (which is all the time these days…), I use these peel pads and can feel them working magic on my skin. I use these every other day, but they’re gentle enough for daily use. I love the way my skin looks and feels after I use these pads.
As a longtime lover of all Kiehl’s products, this new addition to their line is no exception! I have my boyfriend hooked on this serum as well, which is packed with Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, and helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
As a longtime reader of Into the Gloss (top shelf fan for life!), I was ecstatic when they launched their in-house line of beauty products, Glossier. I waited a long time before purchasing Phase 1 and Phase 2 for myself (I know, totally late to the party), but I’m excited because I feel 100% ready to give an honest Glossier review. I’m a super loyal Sephora customer (embarrassed to admit I’m VIB Rouge) and always like to try on beauty products before buying, but I made an exception to the rule for Glossier.
Maybe it was the marketing or the super cute packaging, but I knew I had to try it for myself. One thing I noticed when doing research prior to purchasing, was how hard it was to find honest reviews. Bloggers and YouTubers alike seemed to give complimentary reviews, but the actual site doesn’t have a section for customer reviews.
Yep – even the box the products come in is cute.
After years of using their products, I thought I’d do my own HONEST Glossier review of the products and have you see for yourself if the products are worth purchasing.
[ FYI – this post isn’t sponsored in any way. ]
[ TL ; DR – overall, Glossier products are mostly hits for me. The price point is fair and they will work well on most skin types. Are they life-changing? No. Are they good for skintypes that need a little more love or extra care? Also probably a no. I wouldn’t use only Glossier products and nothing else. But mixed into my skincare routine with other products, I’m a huge fan. My faves are the boy brow, milky jelly cleanser, haloscope, and priming moisturizer rich. If you’re interested in trying any of the products out, here’s my link for 10% off your first order. ]
Glossier’s motto is skin first, makeup second. Phase 1 consists of 4 makeup products that get your skin ready for makeup (or no makeup at all, if you’re blessed enough to go without wearing any!)
My personal favorite product in the Phase 1 set. I’m in love the jelly-like consistency/texture and the subtle rose scent. My skin is somewhat sensitive and haven’t had any issues with this cleanser whatsoever. So, I use it to remove all traces of makeup without any irritation. I have several cleansers I love and use already. However, this one is a permanent player in my rotation. I’ve already gone through 5+ bottles and have it in the travel size as well.
A bottle lasts me almost 6 months. I keep an extra in a bag in my car and use it after the gym and before going to bed. If I need a little extra exfoliation or deep cleaning for my skin, I add a powder exfoliant.
I think this moisturizer is a nice compliment to the cleanser. It isn’t really thick or moisturizing enough for nighttime or when my skin needs an extra boost, but I like it for daytime and I feel like it has made my skin softer and plumper. If I apply makeup on top, it seems to go on smoother as well. Thumbs up for this product, but I haven’t repurchased.
Honestly, I’m not sure how much better this is than using vaseline or Aquaphor, but I do really like it. I’m sure I would love the coconut version even more. It’s a solid lip balm but for the price, I’ll probably stick to my usual drugstore balm.
Probably the thinnest foundation I own. It’s way more watery than any tinted moisturizer I’ve ever tried – maybe I could have gotten away with this light of foundation when I was in high school? I use the shade “dark” and don’t see too much of a difference in my skin when I use it, but I think if you layer it on it does smooth out minor imperfections. If you’re looking for a smoother and more flawless coverage, I would pass on this. Truthfully, I think it’s best for people who already have close to perfect skin.
After you’ve primed your skin with phase 1, it’s time for phase 2. In general, Glossier products are for the makeup minimalist. They may not be the best if you’re going for a more full-on glam face, but if you’re looking for a “I woke up like this” natural look or just trying to enhance your natural beauty, they might become your new favorite products.
This stuff is GOLD. My new go-to brow product. I use the shade “brown” even though I have very dark brows. This is by far the best brow mascara I’ve ever tried. I want to hoard this stuff in case it ever gets discontinued, which I don’t see happening because everyone seems to love it. It fluffs up and thickens your brows and keeps them in place all. day. long. (Update: I’m on my 10th tube and still loving it).
Not the biggest fan of concealer but this formula is extremely buildable and doesn’t seem to crease as the day goes on. I got it in shade “medium” but wish I had purchased in a darker shade. It functions as a bit of a highlighter since the shade is slightly lighter than I would prefer for my under eye circles.
Probably the only miss out of all the products I tested. The tube seems small for the price, the product is somewhat drying, and the shade I purchased, “Like” is meant to be a “your lips but better” shade when in reality it doesn’t show up much unless I use several layers. Maybe fairer skinned girls will have better luck? I will try out the other shades as well and report back.
After testing out the entirety of Phase 1 and Phase 2, I can say that there are a few items that will become permanent standbys in my beauty lineup. My favorites by far are the milky jelly cleanser and the boy brow (as beauty bloggers say, “holy grail status”), I do love the priming moisturizer as well. For real though, in this 100% honest Glossier review the rest of the products get a solid thumbs up as well, but if you’re not looking to buy the full sets, I recommend the milky jelly cleanser and boy brow above all.
Update: since I wrote my original review, Glossier has launched several new products and I’ve also scooped up some of the other products I hadn’t tried yet.
Shortly after I wrote this blog post, Glossier launched its Priming Moisturizer “Rich” formula. Since I have drier skin I purchased it instantly and it’s one of the better Glossier products IMO. Really love how moisturizing it is and I haven’t had any issues with it on my dry/sensitive skin. I really think it’s a great moisturizer for the price and have since repurchased – love this so much more than the original Priming Moisturizer.
The launch of Invisible Shield SPF 35 came just in time for summer (although you really should wear sunscreen year round!). Unfortunately it didn’t quite work with my skin, the jelly consistency and scent seemed to irritate my face and I ended up with bumps over my face. If you’re an SPF newbie it’s worth trying out but I feel like for the price (it’s only a 1 oz. bottle) there are equally good if not better sunscreens out there. I’m going to give it another shot and will let you know if the results are any better.
Didn’t expect to love this nearly as much as I do. If you’re going from that “lit from within glow” this product delivers! I love how easy this product is to apply. If you brush it along your skin it doesn’t go on too heavy. all you need is a finger to blend. It’s basically foolproof, easy to layer if you want a little more glow, and super subtle. Some might say too subtle, but I say nay! I’ve fooled all of my coworkers and friends with this highlighter. I even stopped using my beloved Becca. Which now looks TOO shimmery compared to Glossier’s version. I have all three shades but have yet to find the best purpose for TOPAZ (bronze-y shade that I expected to love). I alternate between Quartz and Moonstone for everyday and I just absolutely love them.
Not the biggest fan of blush, but these gel-based ones are easy to use (I just apply with my fingers) and extremely build-able. I can see why some people would love these, but they just didn’t work on my skin as well as I wanted them too. Haze and Puff were too pink for me, and Beam felt too orange. I did like Dusk (more of a mauve shade?), but overall this would be a pass for me. If you love blush though, it might be worth a try!
So happy Glossier came out with an exfoliant!! This one seems to be getting rave reviews. Largely due to the three active acids in the product that claim to help smooth skin, clear up acne, and minimize pores. I really love it as an everyday, gentle exfoliant. It’s not as strong as other at home peels or acids in the market, but I think it’s a fantastic intro to AHAs/BHas. However, if you’re looking for a good powder cleanser or exfoliant, I honestly think any of these powder cleansers work just as well.
I’m a little on the fence about Glossier’s new mascara. On one hand, it’s perfect for a “I woke up like this” look – it takes your lashes and makes them a little better. On the other hand, when I wear mascara, I want DRAMA. I think this product works well, but it’s just not what I’m looking for when I’m buying a mascara. If you already have gorgeous, thick lashes, it’s worth testing out – I do love the formula! I just personally need a little oomph. Or lash extensions ; ).
Needless to say, I’ve been converted and I’m now a devoted Glossier fan. I make it a point to try every new product when they launch and continue to repurchase my favorites. Glossier gets a solid YES! from me any day.
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