February was a great month and I loved so many different things; so much so, I was having a pretty hard time narrowing it down today. I had some food faves, kid faves, entertainment faves, but I decided that this month I was going to focus solely on my beauty and wellness related picks because there have been some really impactful ones! Let’s get into them. ◡̈
Cycle Syncing. In February, I decided that I wanted to learn how to cycle sync. For those unfamiliar, cycle syncing is essentially becoming aware of the different phases of your menstrual cycle and adjusting your lifestyle accordingly. This means tweaking your diet, exercise, and sleep habits to better support your body based on what it needs during each phase. The more I look into this, the more I wish this was taught in school! Needless to say, my curiosity has lead me down quite the rabbit hole of products, habits, and recipes that have been making a huge difference. I can’t get into everything today, but I will share some more posts about this in the future!
Beef Bone Broth. In February I started drinking a warm mug of beef bone broth before any coffee or food in the morning. The benefits that stem directly from this are incredible. Beef bone broth contains collagen, gelatin, and amino acids that can soothe and strengthen the gut lining, reduce inflammation and promote healthy digestion. It can help with joint health, bone health, skin health…the list goes on and on. I find it really tasty and have been feeling great since incorporating it into my morning routine. I season and warm the broth on the stove and love sipping it first thing! I tried one from the grocery store, this powder, but so far the Trader Joe’s broth has been my favorite (it’s way cheaper in store)!
Tongue Scraping. This is something I never had a huge interest in. It honestly seemed kind of gross, plus, I brushed my tongue after I brushed my teeth …so what was the point? Oh my gosh, let me tell you – do not sleep on a tongue scraper! I use it first thing in the morning, before having my bone broth, a sip of water, using the bathroom…before anything! While we sleep, our body detoxifies through the mouth, so while scraping does contribute to better breath and oral health, it also removes any bacteria that you do not want to linger in the mouth or get swallowed back into your system. I cannot recommend scraping enough. It takes just a few seconds and makes a huge difference. There are a few different style scrapers, but I have one like this and really like it.
Demi Permanent Hair Dye. I have quite a bit of gray hair and I cover my roots at home. I just don’t have the time for the salon these days and it is so so expensive for what it’s actually worth. I’ve been using a permanent dye for a while, but I went down a demi perm rabbit hole and realized that I was using the wrong products! A lot of stylists recommend using demi-permanent hair color – especially on those with gray hair because it offers a more natural look and a less harsh grow out. It coats the hair’s surface layer and washes out gradually (which I haven’t really noticed), but it’s been a game changer for me! I’ve been using this one in the shade 6N with a level 10 developer.
Pore Strips. I hadn’t used a pore strip in years, but I recently got these Kale Detox nose strips in a PR package from Pacifica and they work phenomenally! I used one at the beginning of the month and I swear it revived my nose. My skin was so clean and smooth afterwards, I can’t believe I waited so long to revisit pore strips. They’re amazing!
Londontown Illuminating Nail Concealer. This product is nothing short of a miracle and I will be sharing a lot more about it in the near future! For now, if you’re looking for a one stop shop for a flawless manicure – get yourself a bottle. It’s pricey, but worth every single penny. It requires no base or top coat, it applies streak-free, and it’s so easy for anyone to use! I promise. Even if you think you’re bad at painting your nails, you can work with this. It is GOOD.
Whipped Tallow Balm. This was another clean ingredient product I had been hearing a ton about and I now understand the hype. Wow. This moisturizer is lightweight, creamy, and adored by the skin. I cannot explain how soft and hydrated my face feels after using it, but I am so glad I decided to try this out. I’ve been using it morning and night as my regular moisturizer and have nothing but positive things to say. I bought this one (the unscented version)!
Glamnetic Press Ons. If you’re subscribed to my YouTube channel, you may have seen my recent videos trying a set of Glamnetic press ons and then letting you know how they held up. These nails definitely felt high quality, they wore so well and it was such a treat to take a break from my short nails for a bit. I really had no complaints and I can’t wait to try them out in some other shapes and colors. You can Glamnetic nails in many stores in-person and online, but I got mine from BeyondPolish.com where I do have an active coupon code (BELLA) if you’re looking for a discount! ◡̈
Maybelline SuperStay Teddy Lip Tint. Maybelline sent a package with some of their new Teddy lip tints and while I wasn’t initially loving them, I eventually found the perfect way to use them and I’ve been hooked ever since! I tired a few of their different colors, but I realized that applying a light coat of Mascara Tear (a darker shade) to my lips, letting it dry, then buffing out the middle and adding a lighter tinted balm on top gave me the perfect ombre-look. What I love about this product is that it withstands food and drink really well – you can get a near full day wear from one application. It’s been a great addition to my routine!
Rice Water. Ok, last but not least! I was prepping dinner and rinsing some rice when I realized I should save the water for my hair and skin. Something I had heard about, but never tried. Rinsing you face with rice water or applying it as a toner helps your skin glow by reducing dullness, dark spots, pigmentation, sun damage, and discoloration. Using it on your hair can help to promote growth, silkiness, softness, and reduce frizz. It was so easy to make and it’s been a fun treatment to try. I haven’t been using it everyday, maybe once a week or so. I have noticed a bit of a difference, especially in my hair and I plan to continue incorporating it into my routine!
That is it for February! Gosh, I wish I could share some of my other faves, but this post would be way too long. I’ll share them all eventually. ◡̈ Though I’ve been posting to my blog and YouTube channel, I’ve been taking a break from posting on Instagram and it’s been so refreshing. I honestly have no idea what I want to share over there. There are so many different things (almost too many) that I get overwhelmed and end up sharing nothing. So I’ve given myself permission to just take a breather and it’s been such a healthy decision for me. I’m a stay at home Mom and it’s allowed me to focus 100% on my son and family without stressing about Instagram content every week.
For the first time in a long time, our home is in order, meals are all planned, laundry isn’t piled, and I feel like I can be present and enjoy life right now. With that said, I LOVE creating content for Instagram and have taken some time to think and reflect about how I want to move forward. I’m hoping to revisit IG when I feel 100% ready. If I’m going to be creating and sharing online, I want to make sure that I enjoy it! I would also love to have a manageable schedule in place so that I don’t feel like I’m in over my head. Whenever I get to that point, you’ll know! But I’m really content with life right now.
I hope you all had a great February, we are one month closer to Spring and I am thrilled about that! We’re planning to take a little last minute family trip this weekend and I’m looking forward to a change of scenery and making some memories! ◡̈
