This month’s beauty favorites are really about basics. I didn’t exactly plan it that way, but with all of the rain and crappy weather, makeup has been practically nonexistent in my life, except for a touch of concealer and mascara. We are covering Collagen Peptides, a new face cleansing oil, New Wash for hair, natural deodorant and some cheaper teeth whitening strips! So, here are a few things I have been grabbing for every time I need something…
Vital Proteins: Collagen Peptides
I get it, collagen lattes are trendy. But I’m totally on board. I started blending a scoop into my coffee in the morning and I love the frothy results. Your coffee gets this instant layer of foam and it’s so delicious. Oh, and I love the work it does on my hair, skin and gut. They don’t make any digestion claims, but I swear it keeps me function and keeps the bloat down. I just ordered my second tub.
How I make my collagen latte: I pour freshly brewed coffee, unsweetened almond milk, a dash of vanilla, and a good shake of turmeric and cinnamon along with a scoop of the collagen peptides into my blender. I blend at high speed for literally just a few seconds and you get a foamed up latte.
Trader Joe’s: Face Cleansing Oil
TJ is seriously ROCKING it at the natural body products. I already use their body butter and vitamin E oil (I use it as a face oil) over other products, but now they’ve eliminated my GLAMGLOW cleanser! This new Facial Cleansing Oil is the bomb.
I usually used the dual cleanser by GlamGlow and ordered it every time the Sephora VIB sale rolled around. I loved that it was a gentle oil cleanser and easily removed my eye makeup and kept my face clean but not dried out. Well, I grabbed this Trader Joe’s one the last time I was in there and it has changed my tune! I couldn’t have been more relieved to find a closer-to-$5 option for one of my everyday products. Just like my other cleanser, you put it on your DRY face, massage a bit, add water and rub around…rinse off. I love it and I love that you don’t need to reach for your thickest moisturizer within seconds because your face feels moisturized.
Hairstory: New Wash
I’ve never touted a shampoo I loved…till now. Why? Because I hate washing my hair. I have a scalp that is so dry it is painful. And washing strips away natural oils, makes your scalp dry, then you create oils to counteract it which makes you greasy…it’s an awful cycle. But we have to do it, right? Well I’ve stopped. I swear I’m not crazy though.
So New Wash was created by the Bumble and Bumble creator and it has none of the chemical that makes shampoo lather. EVERY shampoo has it. But this stuff, it’s more like lotion for your scalp but it’s very cleansing. You massage it into your scalp in the shower, comb your hair, then wash it out. DONE. Literally, no conditioner next, no nothing else.
My hair has never been so soft and it truly is clean. And NO shampoo, NO conditioner. My mind is blown. I sound like a walking billboard, but I love this stuff. It’s pricey, but I cut costs in other places (see my face wash and teeth whiteners…and trying to cut down to only one Starbucks a week) and I don’t buy anymore shampoos, conditioners or hair masks.
Schmidt’s natural deodorant
I’ve been using this stuff for over 2 years now. In my quest for natural deodorant I tried MANY that didn’t work (sorry, people who had to sit next to me during those trial months) but this stuff works. Period. You put it on with your fingers which is so easy, and you’re set. I actually have found that the longer I stuck with using natural deodorant, on the days I’m not working out I don’t need ANY. WHAT?! I know. It’s a risk, but it’s awesome to see your body takeover and stop being dependent on the things you thought you needed. But on those sweaty days, for sure I’m layering on Schmidt’s.
Target brand: teeth whitening wraps
I don’t often grab the off-brand of items, especially when it comes to something important like my teeth. But at half the cost of my usual Crest White Strips, I decided to give these a go. I’m SO glad I did! They’re more solid than the flimsy wrap because the whitening chemicals are spread onto a layer of wax (which is why they call them “wraps”). So you mold them onto your teeth, pressing firmly with your fingers to flatten against each tooth (I also use my nails to press them between each tooth and mold them) then let them hang out for 30 min. They work, they’re under $15. Done.
If you missed them, my January Beauty Favorites were awesome too! Check it out!
Note: as always, this is NOT a sponsored post!
